Coachella Valley Weekly - March 28 to April 3, 2019 Vol. 8 No. 2

coachellavalleyweekly.com • March 28 to April 3, 2019 Vol. 8 No. 2

Jimmie Vaughan

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Toby Lee

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The Dinah

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Wordplay Wednesday

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AMP Showcase

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March 28 to April 3, 2019

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Coachella Valley Weekly (760) 501-6228

publisher@coachellavalleyweekly.com coachellavalleyweekly.com facebook.com/cvweekly twitter.com/cvweekly1 Publisher & Editor Tracy Dietlin Art Director Robert Chance Sales Team Kirby Club Crawler Nightlife Editor Phil Lacombe Feature Writers Lisa Morgan, Rich Henrich, Heidi Simmons, Noe Gutierrez, Avery Wood, Tricia Witkower, Jason Hall, Crystal Harrell Writers/Contributors: Robin Simmons, Rick Riozza, Eleni P. Austin, Craig Michaels, Janet McAfee, Bronwyn Ison, Haddon Libby, Dale Gribow, Laura Hunt Little, Sam DiGiovanna, Rob Brezny, Sunny Simon, Dr. Peter Kadile, Bruce Cathcart, Flint Wheeler, Denise Ortuno Neil, Dee Jae Cox, Patte Purcell, Angela Romeo,Aaron Ramson, Lynne Tucker, Elizabeth Scarcella, Aimee Mosco, Matt Claborn, Michelle Anne Rizzio Photographers Robert Chance, Laura Hunt Little, Chris Miller, Iris Hall, Esther Sanchez Website Editor Bobby Taffolla Distribution Phil Lacombe, William Westley

CONTENTS

Wedbush Garden Jam 2019................... 3 Jimmie Vaughan..................................... 5 Toby Lee.................................................. 6 Breaking The 4th Wall - Greater Tuna.... 7 The River in Rancho Mirage.................... 7 The Dinah................................................ 8 Joan Jett & Elle King at Fantasy Springs Resort Casino.......................... 8 Wordplay Wednesday ........................... 9 AMP Showcase........................................ 9 Consider This - Robin Lane & the Chartbusters................................ 10 Art Scene - Desert X............................... 11 Pet Place ............................................... 12 The Vino Voice ...................................... 13 Club Crawler Nightlife .................... 14-15 Pampered Palate - Cork & Fork ........... 16 Brewtality .............................................. 17 Screeners .............................................. 18 Book Review......................................... 19 Safety Tips ............................................. 19 Haddon Libby ....................................... 21 Dale Gribow........................................... 21 Awaken with Lizzy & Aimee................ 22 Free Will Astrology............................... 23 Mind, Body & Spirit.............................. 23 Travel Tips 4 U....................................... 24 Cannabis Corner .................................. 24 Cannabis Corner .................................. 26

March 28 to April 3, 2019

2019 WEDBUSH GARDEN JAM MUSIC FESTIVAL ROCK + BLUES + JAZZ + COUNTRY

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rom the inner workings of Jimi ‘FITZ’ Fitzgerald’s imagination and musical crusade and his dazzling wife’s partnership, Wendy Jane Productions, comes the almost unbelievable Wedbush Garden Jam Music Festival in Indian Wells, California, Friday April 5th and Saturday April 6th to kick off “Music Month” in the Coachella Valley! Grounds passes start at $75.00 and Reserved Table seating starts at $125.00. Go to GardenJamMusicFestival. com for tickets.

Performing live at Indian Wells Tennis Garden will be Lukas Nelson and Promise of the Real, Buddy Guy, Los Lobos, Jimmie Vaughan, Lucie Silvas, Brian Culbertson, Kal David, Toby Lee, Mic Dangerously, John Carey and the bands of Academy of Music Performance.

Coachella Valley Weekly was able to connect with festival host jimi FITZ for a quick moment as he paced his hallway preparing for every possible scenario.

CVW: This has to be exciting for you and Wendy. What a phenomenal event.

FITZ: “We’re burning on all cylinders.

We got a nice little buzz happening. We’re just trying to put big events on and make them out-of-the-box with a great music blend. The timing is awesome with all that is happening with these artists.”

FITZ gave us his take on all the artists: FITZ on Lukas Nelson and Promise Of The Real “We all know what’s happening with Lukas Nelson and Promise Of The Real. It’s been an amazing trajectory for him. I got turned on to him pretty much with Promise of the Real doing their thing with Neil Young at Desert Trip. Almost like Bradley Cooper, he caught my eye those two weekends as well and obviously then following the progression of how that evolved. We actually wanted Lukas last year and it didn’t work out with his touring schedule plus he ended up doing Stagecoach Festival so we couldn’t do him last year. I’m excited this is his first return since he played Stagecoach last year and a lot of people said they were the best band at Stagecoach period. With all the desert connections to A Star Is Born and all the scenes that were shot here, it should be momentous.”

BY NOE GUTIERREZ

FITZ on Buddy Guy “Buddy Guy is sounding better than he has in ages. He’s got a renewed fire and this new album, The Blues is Alive and Well, with Jeff Beck and Keith Richards and Mick Jagger guesting on it is really cool. He’s a 9-time Grammy Winner and 2005 member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame where Eric Clapton inducted him. He’s on this big tour swing. Saw him not that long ago on Austin City Limits and he just killed it. I feel so honored to have the opportunity to work with him and having him a part of this.”

FITZ on Los Lobos “We’re excited about Los Lobos being a part of the line-up. People don’t know how great a rock band they are. They’ve been nominated for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. They have been consistent and are at the top of their game. They continue to inspire many musicians. I appreciate those who get it. They have their connection with La Bamba. If you were just to strip everything away, they are a great rock band and always have been. They fit the weekend perfectly.”

FITZ on Jimmie Vaughan “What can you say about Jimmie, multiple Grammy Award winner, Stevie Ray’s big brother, his partner in the Vaughan Brothers, one of the founding members of The Fabulous Thunderbirds, he’s been touring the country with Eric Clapton and Clapton has been showing up at his gigs.

We originally had wanted to put in an offer for Jimmie to perform Friday night but he asked to precede Buddy on Saturday night so we’ll see if that leads to any interesting stuff happening.”

FITZ on Lucie Silvas “She was born in the UK, raised in New Zealand and lives in Nashville. She’s married to John Osborne, of country music duo Brothers Osborne. She had a million selling album called Letters to Ghosts in 2015. She’s toured the world with Elton John and so many various artists. She calls her music ‘genre-less’. She has a new album called E.G.O. She’s an amazing artist! A little Pop, a little Country, a little Americana and a little Blues. Check her out on YouTube she does an amazing rendition of Metallica’s continue to page 5

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March 28 to April 3, 2019

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GARDEN JAM 2019 continued from page 3 Nothing Else Matters, it has almost 17 million views. I wanted to get a powerful female to kick-off the weekend. She really fits that bill. She’s excited about coming in.

It’s going to be a great Friday.”

FITZ on Brian Culbertson “He’s had so many self-produced number one albums through the years.

He, Wendy and I have worked together for many years and I’m thrilled that he’s opening up Saturday night.”

FITZ on Toby Lee “Joe Bonamassa calls him the “future of the blues”. He’s the 2018 UK Young Blues Artist of the Year. He just signed an endorsement deal with Gibson Guitars and they brought him over to NAMM Show in January. He played the private Gibson showcase at The Grove in Anaheim and jammed with Billy Gibbons of ZZ Top and Peter Frampton. He’s a unique and one of a kind talent and I’m so excited about some surprises we’ll hopefully have with Toby on that main stage over the weekend and also on our second stage he’s going to be paired with our own legend and Blues Hall of Fame member Kal David each night.”

CVW: Can you give us a sneak peek at

the schedule?

FITZ: “Each night the gates are going to open at 4:30 p.m. 4:30-5 is Mic Dangerously of Zen Robbi and Mike and the Cartoon Cowboys, he’s gonna jam one with Toby.

John Carey is going to play 5-5:30 p.m. his own set with Toby sitting-in with him on a couple of tunes. 5:30-6 Kal David with Toby is going to be classic on the second stage.

The main stage action kicks off at 6:30 p.m.

CVW: You have always had great food and wine offerings as well as other amenities.

FITZ: “Fisherman’s Market is going to have wine tasting. We have Miramonte giving the chair massages. Gameroom Gallery is going to have some musicthemed pinball machines. We’ll have a boutique village, we have some art, the Karen and Tony Barone are doing a new art installation, we have Time McClendon the jewelry artist coming back who everyone loved last year. Clarks Nutrition will be giving away some cool stuff.

CVW: You’ve done an outstanding job in involving local artists in the event.

FITZ: “This is an amazing music

JIMMIE VAUGHAN

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ecently, Blues guitar great Jimmie Vaughan celebrated his 68th birthday on March 20, 2019. Only three-anda-half years older than his younger brother Stevie Ray Vaughan, Jimmie was the principal inspiration for Stevie Ray to pick up the guitar and in 1963 handed him down a Gibson ES125T. Jimmie himself began playing guitar at a young age and has built a legacy of American Blues that is unparalleled in the music world.

Talking to Jimmie on the phone, you can tell he is full of Texas Pride and there’s no doubt he unfurls the Lone Star flag right alongside Old Glory on the Fourth of July. It was an honor to speak briefly with the 4-time Grammy Award winner and one of the many featured performers at the Wedbush Garden Jam Music Festival at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden on April 5th and 6th. Also on the bill are Lukas Nelson & The Promise of the Real, Buddy Guy, Los Lobos to name a few. You can see the full line-up and purchase tickets at gardenjammusicfestival.com. Below is my conversation with the legendary Jimmie Vaughan.

CVW: How are you doing overall Jimmie and where are you currently?

Vaughan: “I’m doing excellent! I’m at home. I’m about an hour west of Austin, Texas.”

CVW: You have a string of shows with Buddy Guy at House of Blues in Dallas, Austin City Limits LIVE, Utah, Arizona and of course our Wedbush Garden Jam Music Festival in Indian Wells, CA. What are your feelings on these shows?

Vaughan: “It’s great! It’s gonna be a lot of fun. I love my band and with the record coming out, I’m very excited. What can I say about Buddy Guy that hasn’t already been

said?”

CVW: You have a new album, Baby, Please Come Home, being released on May 17, 2019. What would you like us to know about the record?

Vaughan: “It’s me with my favorite musicians playing a bunch of stuff that we like, how about that? It’s fun, I’m having a great time, we got a good tour coming up, and it’s exciting to have a new album coming out. I’m having a good time still.”

CVW: Your first single, Be My Lovey Dovey, is a great Blues shuffle and has a habit-forming hook that has it on repeat in my Apple Music account.

Vaughan: “It’s not very high brow, but it’s not meant to be, it’s just for fun. It’s sort of my blues rock and roll stuff that I do. It’s just for fun. I don’t know what to say besides that.”

CVW: How did Baby, Please Come Home come about? I also saw that you have a couple of bonus tracks.

Vaughan: “I had to go and pick the songs that suited me to make an arrangement with and then we recorded them. It was actually all very thought-out and worked, but they’re really designed to play live. I’ll be playing almost all of the album at the show in April.

The bonus tracks on the album are from my trio. We’re also going to do that live because the trio is in my band so I’m bringing them with me.”

CVW: Toby Lee shared with me that he is heavy into classic Volkswagen beetles and vans. You’re into vintage vehicles as well.

What is it about guitar players and cars?

Vaughan: “I’m a hot-rodder, I love California and I come back and forth to the desert and every year I go to the car show

community that we have here. It’s special, unique and I’m blessed and grateful to be a part of. It’s just a necessary love. It’s easy to do because we have such great talent that needs to be showcased. On that second stage, between the first, second and third acts, each night, we’ll have a showcase of about twenty minutes with various Academy of Music Performance bands being curated by Will Sturgeon. We’re including the AMP band family in this to give other bands a showcase and exposure on the second stage so they can be a part of the night to witness the legends we’re going to have on the main stage and be inspired and participate in a great desert weekend.

I respect Will Sturgeon and Kate Spates so much and we just started the Steve Madaio Scholarship Fund at AMP in Steve’s honor.

We’re just trying to spread the word about the great work that they do. The families and the young musicians who take it seriously and understand what a unique opportunity it is and learning experience even if they never pursue a professional music career it teaches them teamwork and improves their cognitive abilities through music.”

CVW: What’s the seating like?

FITZ: “All the seating in the pavilion is

March 28 to April 3, 2019 reserved table seating which allows you to have a place to perch with your friends all night long. Bring your food and drink and park it there. You have access to the entire grounds and the second stage. There’s three different layers of table seating. Top layer is almost sold out, but gold and silver still have some tables available. We’re offering grounds passes at only $75 where you get to roam all the grounds, access to the second stage, vendor village and wine tasting. There’s plenty of tables all over the grounds.”

CVW: Where do you see the festival going?

FITZ: “We’ve had an amazing partnership with IWTG. We all share the same dream of building this to what it deserves to be. The trend all across the country is now leaning towards niche festivals. We’re not your typical field festival. We’re giving you the unique one of a kind environment there. I love being connected to music month and we enhance music month. We add to the conversation and the variety.”

The Wedbush Garden Jam Music Festival is a presentation of the Indian Wells Tennis Garden and Wendy Jayne Productions, Inc. gardenjammusicfestival.com

BY NOE GUTIERREZ

at the Pomona Fairgrounds. When I started playing guitar my first thought was, oh, maybe I can get really good and get some money and buy a car? I was probably around Toby Lee’s age.”

CVW: When’s the last time you were out to the desert?

Vaughan: “I drive by there a lot and I’ve played a lot of gigs out there. I don’t remember the last time I played Indio. I’m sure it was the casino.”

CVW: 14 year-old Toby Lee will be performing for his first “official” show in the United States at the Wedbush Garden Jam Music Festival. You picked up the guitar early on as well. What was the attraction to the Blues?

Vaughan: “I haven’t seen him yet. I’m sure

he’s something else. It will be good to see him. I picked up the guitar when I was twelve.

Very soon after that, the Blues pulled me in. My uncles played guitar on both sides of the family so there was a lot of guitar music around and a lot of stuff on the radio. It’s always been around in my life. I’m the oldest so I started playing first.”

CVW: Any last words for our Coachella Valley Weekly readers Jimmie?

Vaughan: “I’ve got my band, we’re ready and we’re looking forward to it!”

Catch Jimmie Vaughan and band on Saturday, April 6th at the Wedbush Garden Jam Music Festival. jimmievaughan.com gardenjammusicfestival.com

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March 28 to April 3, 2019

LOCAL MUSIC

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hen you think of some common activities a 14-year-old young man may participate in you may consider organized sports or the online video game Fortnite, or even popular social networks like Instagram and Snapchat. UK phenom Toby Lee is no typical adolescent. At only 14 years old the Blues guitarist can say he has jammed on stage with 2005 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee Buddy Guy, EnglishAmerican rock guitar guru Peter Frampton and ZZ Top lead vocalist and guitarist Billy Gibbons. He can also share that he has performed on The Ellen Show and on Steve Harvey’s Little Big Shots variety show.

Toby will once again join Buddy Guy, Lukas Nelson & The Promise of the Real, Jimmie Vaughan and Los Lobos at the Wedbush Garden Jam Music Festival at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden on April 5th and 6th. You can see the full line-up and purchase tickets at gardenjammusicfestival.com. Despite the 7-hour time difference, we spoke with Toby from his home in England just outside of Oxfordshire on a weekend evening as he devoured his chicken fried rice. As with any juvenile, we spoke with a parent first to know what we’re walking into. Lo and behold, this young man blew my mind with his level of maturity and charisma. Toby’s family is fully supportive and have allowed him to just be Toby.

His weekly at-home internet jams every Sunday at 8 p.m. UK time attract tens of thousands of YouTube viewers. He hasn’t missed one in three years. A couple of years ago he played with Ronnie Baker Brooks, a Chicago bluesman, in Frederikshavn, Denmark at the Blues Heaven Festival and that video has drawn 115 million views!

CVW: How are you feeling young man?

Toby: “I’m feeling old. I don’t like getting older. It means I have less time to be a kid, play around, and be understood for that. I still play around as much as possible.”

CVW: There’s a lot of buzz about your United States debut on a festival stage.

Toby: “I can’t wait to be out there. The weather, the show, the food and being in the desert is gonna be awesome! I couldn’t tell you how cold it is here. It’s probably off the reader. Cold and wet and miserable.”

CVW: What do you do when you’re not playing guitar or at school?

Toby: “I’m obsessed with cars. I’m a bit of a geek when it comes to cars. Our whole house is model cars and car bits, all sorts of stuff just to do with cars. I go on bike rides up and down our driveway. When I did School of Rock, The Musical, with the money I earned, I bought a 1965 VW bus. It was completely original. It was found in a forest in Texas. It was absolutely rusted out, it was crazy. It’s had a full restoration. It’s not a stock car anymore, and it’s slammed pretty low. It’s very clean and blended. It’s a labor of love for me.”

CVW: When you are playing guitar, where do you play?

Toby: “We’re in the middle of nowhere.

I can literally plug in an amp, put it on full volume in the garden and no one would hear me. We’re miles away from the next house.”

CVW: I recently talked to Jimmie Vaughan about the obsession guitarists seem to have

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TOBY LEE – OLD BLUES SOUL AT 14 YEARS YOUNG

BY NOE GUTIERREZ

with classic cars. What’s your fascination?

Toby: “My dad has always had a classic car.

He absolutely loves cars. My main obsession with cars is the old Volkswagens, the beetles the busses. The first person in our family to have a Volkswagen was my mum. Then my dad. I loved them when I was little and I love them even more now. At school, everyone is reading a standard reading book or they have to look at an atlas or something and there’s me in the corner reading either music magazines or a Volkswagen workshop manual. I’m different like that but people seem to like me for who I am and not what I do which is very nice. The music is a lot richer that way.”

CVW: I’ve seen video of your performances and you are visibly in the moment when you are playing. Can you put into words what you are experiencing?

Toby: “When I’m playing I just feel so happy. I feel amazing. It’s hard to describe. I feel free. If you go wrong, you start again. It doesn’t matter. Every day something is going to go wrong. There’s no problem with that.

It’s something you can explore so much and there’s so many different variations of one particular note. It can be a note that’s been bent, it can be a single note, and that’s only one note and then you’ve got six strings and all the frets on the guitar, there’s a lot to explore and it’s just so fun and it makes me happy.”

CVW: I can recall a former music instructor telling me, ‘if you make a mistake, make a big one.’ Thus far, what lesson do you dwell on the most?

Toby: “I was always taught that if you make a mistake make it look like it was supposed to be there. It sounds better like that, that’s what I say. The crowd is there to just enjoy themselves and have fun. If you make a duff note, they’re not gonna care. If you think of how many notes are played in a set on whatever instrument, drums, saxophone or guitar, there’s so many of them, let’s say you get 30 of them wrong of the thousands or tens of thousands of notes that are played, who’s gonna say, ‘well, they got two notes wrong in that song.’”

CVW: You’ve played with some pretty spectacular musicians so far in your short

career. How do you break it all down?

Toby: “I don’t think I’ve gotten over that night when I played with Billy Gibbons and Peter Frampton. To have Billy Gibbons get out in front of you with his handkerchief and wave you down, it’s kind of like, wow! He’s such a casual person. He’s well known and such a cool guy. He’s the kind of you guy you’d see somewhere and he’s just happy to be normal. But at the end of the day he’s THE Billy Gibbons!”

CVW: You were invited to the 2019 NAMM Show by Gibson Guitars to be their UK young ambassador. Tell us about that trip.

Toby: “To see that many instruments and people playing and being passionate about it. Everyone was having as much fun as when I’m performing. You know that when you go to a normal concert there’s probably only a few people who are really gonna sit there and watch what’s being played. At the NAMM Show everyone wants to watch you and take away things they can use in their own playing instead of watching it to have a good time. It’s quite nice. People will come up after and ask, ‘what was that little thing you did there and what was that thing you did?’ I will admit most of the time I have no idea because I improvise everything and don’t think about what I’m playing, I’m just having a good time. When they hear me say ‘just have fun’ they seem to take that away as good advice.”

CVW: The Blues seem to be your niche.

How did that come about?

Toby: “I’m not really that sure to be honest.

That was always the style of music that I went to. I love playing everything, rock, metal and jazz. It’s been nice to experiment with all of them. Say you’re playing rock or jazz or metal, there’s always blues things that you can throw in that will make it sound a little different and will make it your own. Say you did some metal guitar fast run, it wouldn’t really work that well in blues but when you’re playing something in a blues scale it will work just as well in any other thing you play.”

CVW: Speaking of metal, I’m a Yngwie Malmsteen fan and learned about the Blues through his playing.

Toby: “His fingers are like lightning bolts.

They’re amazing! If you really listen to it, you

will always hear the Blues licks in his pieces which says all you need to know about the Blues, it’s right there!”

CVW: Joe Bonamassa called you “a future superstar of the blues.” What was your reaction to that declaration?

Toby: “That makes me feel really good. He’s a lot older than me. In my eyes, he’s one of the best guitarists in the world. To be compared to him makes me feel like I’m respected like he is.

He’s my hero, he’s brilliant! I’ve met him once and seen him perform live twice.”

CVW: You released your first EP Ten at ten-years-old. Now you’re recording your first full album Fourteen at 14 years old. Also, your dad mentioned to me you’ll be working with guitarist Bernie Marsden of Whitesnake.

What do you want to share about Ten and Fourteen?

Toby: “Ten was so fun. It was serious but in the funnest way possible. It was quite deep in the countryside. I’m really looking forward to Fourteen. I’ll be singing on this one. Other than School of Rock, The Musical, I haven’t really sung properly. I was waiting until my voice was a bit lower. If I recorded one on Ten my voice would sound like a clown. While I was eating dinner I was watching one of my first videos, I don’t normally watch my videos because every time I try I criticize something. I just watched the beginning and my voice was so high. I’m glad I waited because it probably would have been an opera album, not a blues album. We’ve got a great bunch of musicians.

All the people in the band are similar to me.

Some people say you shouldn’t make too good friends with the band in case you want to kick them out at any point because you find someone else, at the moment, I absolutely love my band. My keyboard player is giving me welding lessons. They are all just great great fun. The bass player is absolutely amazing.

Our drummer is brilliant and really tight. He doesn’t show off his playing too much, he keeps the beat really tight and when it’s his time to shine he’s really good.”

CVW: You’re performing alongside Jimmie Vaughan, Los Lobos, Buddy Guy and Lukas Nelson and the Promise of the Real. Can you put into words how you feel?

Toby: “I’m really excited to be on the same bill, it’s so cool. It’s an absolute honor. They’re the best musicians out there. You can’t get much better than that. I’m very happy and of course, Lukas Nelson. It’s going to be cool.”

CVW: Music has really opened the world to you. It’s a lot smaller because of your gift.

What do you take from that?

Toby: “We have lessons at school that talk about these countries and people will never really know what it’s like unless you go to them. To be able to go to these countries and perform is just awesome. You get to learn a lot about different people. You definitely learn who’s reliable and who’s not. It’s a really good experience.” toby-lee.com gardenjammusicfestival.com

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A STAGE REVIEW FOR “GREATER TUNA”

believe that life should always be filled with gifts of pleasant surprises. I wasn’t sure what to expect from a play titled, “Greater Tuna.” I don’t like to research a show before I see it so that I can go into the theatre without preconceived ideas, but for obvious reasons, with this title, the subject of fish came to mind. I was thrilled to find out there was not a fish in sight, but there was some hilariously funny, laugh out loud witty repertoire and great character performances.

Greater Tuna, written by Jaston Williams, Joe Sears and Ed Howard, was first produced in 1981 and currently presented by Coyote Stageworks at the Annenberg Theatre. This is the first of a series of four plays, followed

by A Tuna Christmas, Red, White and Tuna, and Tuna does Vegas. The show received a Tony nomination, an HBO special and even gave a White House presentation during the Bush Sr. era. The website claims that it is the most produced show in America and I wouldn’t doubt that for a minute. It’s a simple production with a hilariously witty and outrageously funny script.

The title refers to a fictional town called, Tuna Texas, set in the late 1970’s and depicts the lives of the small town Tuna residents, male and female, all performed by two very skilled and professional actors, Alan Denny and Chuck Yates.

At rise we find good ole’ boys, Wheelis and Struvie, local news announcers for OKKK radio, reporting the headline news for the

Greater Tuna area. Like sweet molasses in the summer time, Denny and Yates, proceed to slip in and out of costumes and characters with the greatest of ease as they introduce us to twenty unique, offensive, politically incorrect, entertaining and spot on funny southern characters that will have you laughing out loud with every other line. I appreciated that the show tackled some very important topics in the midst of the satire.

Poignant and well written humor almost always works in conveying information. Small minded social and political commentary on the topics of religious zealotry, racism and gun violence are not always met with open minds. The absurdity of these characters and many of their views is obvious. And especially in today’s political climate, finding humor is difficult. But this show makes fun of itself.

And sometimes laughing at blatantly absurd views is just a necessary relief.

Denny and Yates are so perfectly cast for this two-man show. They are talented enough to move between a myriad of diverse characters without missing a beat. And both men seem to know exactly how to effortlessly hit the funny bone. I love to laugh if it’s smart humor and I can honestly say my sides were hurting when I left the theatre.

Larry Raben, directed this witty comedy and is to be applauded for the seamless staging and cohesion of the scenes and actors whose multitude of entrances and exits were as smooth as silk and fast paced. I really

WHAT’S UP WITH THE RIVER?

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he River shopping center in Rancho Mirage has had its fair share of changes over the years since its opening in 2002. It has now been confirmed that the outdoor mall has been listed for sale and that a number of its current businesses could be leaving—the latest being Starbucks, which closed its doors permanently on March 24. There is no asking price as of yet for the 27-acre shopping center, and representatives of the River could not be reached for further comment.

When walking around the property, it is evident to see that several of its suites and storefronts remain empty—some having been that way for the course of a year. There are at least six unoccupied retail spaces with only 10 major tenants represented at the River. Some of the mainstays of the shopping center include Cinemark Century Theatres, Cheesecake Factory, The Yard House, Aqua California Bistro, Flemings Steakhouse, PF Changs, Forever 21, Bath & Body Works, and Babe’s Bar-B-Que & Brewhouse.

The River sale listing posted by the real estate firm SRS Real Estate Partners have expressed that this is an opportunity for the outdoor mall to expand and seek tenants that could better fill the property and serve the desert community.

Ownership of the River has been everchanging, starting with developer J.H. Snyder who built the property on land assembled

by Rancho Mirage’s former redevelopment agency. The shopping center was then sold to Grosvenor Group in 2005. Almost a decade

later, the River was sold for $64 million in 2014 to Cheer Land The River LP, the second-largest property taxpayer in Rancho Mirage.

Budding businesses have not much luck keeping their residence at the River in recent years. Jadabug’s Kids Boutique, Midici Pizza, Baja Fresh, and Coachella Winery are among the departed tenants, with Starbucks now joining that seemingly growing list.

These closures do not come as a shock to some local residents, who have noticed the vacancies of the shopping center that has seen better days. This decline has been attributed to the close proximity to the Westfield shopping mall in Palm Desert and the difficult parking arrangements at the River.

“I do enjoy walking around and meeting [at the River] for business or checking out a movie at the Cinemark Theater, but I rarely ever shop there. Having chain companies in a mall

BY DEE JAE COX

March 28 to April 3, 2019

BREAKING THE4TH WALL PHOTOS BY DAVID A. LEE

appreciated the simplicity and functionality of Josh Clabaugh’s set design. Jim Lapidus and Frank Cazares merged their talents to create some iconic and spot on costumes for this myriad of characters.

If you’re looking for a night of just fun and escape, Greater Tuna is the show to see.

Greater Tuna can be seen through March 31, 2019 at The Annenberg Theatre, located

BY CRYSTAL HARRELL

at 101 Museum Dr, Palm Springs.

Ticket info: www.coyotestageworks.org www.psmuseum.org/annenberg-theater Dee Jae Cox is a playwright, director and producer. She is the Cofounder and Artistic Director of The Los Angeles Women’s Theatre Project. losangeleswomenstheatreproject.org palmspringstheatre.com

LOCAL BUSINESS

will definitely get consumers to show up and possibly pop in and shop here and there, but you can do that anywhere. The River does not have much to offer except for the occasional events held there, which are good efforts, but I feel are lost on their clientele who are mostly just snowbirds,” said Justin Holden, a resident of the Coachella Valley for nearly seven years.

Holden believes that if the River shifted its primary demographic to younger clientele and introduced more unique shops instead of chain businesses and restaurants, it would make the center more accessible for all ages to enjoy. “[The River] needs arcades, more food options, better shops, better experiences, and to stop defaulting to the safe zone, which is catering to 55+ out-of-towners. I think it needs a complete re-skin from the inside out… I hope that the new owners can change all of this and make The River a booming flourishing place like in its heyday,” concluded Holden.

Others claim that shopping malls are not as relevant as they used to be with the increased popularity of online retail. Lifelong Coachella Valley resident Alex Callego agrees with the

notion that more variety would be key in maintaining lasting stakeholders at the River.

“I’ve always said that malls are a dying breed. It’s a sign of the times… Many longtime mall retail chains just don’t bring in the foot traffic they used to thanks to online retail.

If malls want to survive, they need to head towards making them more of a dining and entertainment destination focusing on unique cuisine and engaging activities driven by smaller businesses, along with shopping that targets the local community’s demographical needs and wants. This desert doesn’t need another chain. It needs unique brands that stand out in the market place,” stated Callego.

While it is still unclear what other changes will be made in the future once the River is under new ownership, the opportunity for reinvention could be a driving force in maintaining business at the shopping center.

A poster placed on one of the abandoned storefronts promotes the Mirage Cigar Lounge slated to open on the premises sometime this year—perhaps foreshadowing what might be the first to come of many more attempts at trying to revive the River.

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March 28 to April 3, 2019

www.coachellavalleyweekly.com

THE DINAH IS BACK FOR ITS 29TH YEAR APRIL 3-7

E

ntering its 29th year as the largest girl party music festival in the world, The Dinah is back in 2019 with the five-day event taking place in Palm Springs, California on April 3-7. The event will include massive pool parties with world famous DJs and gogo dancers, red carpet events with nationally renowned musical performances, meet and greets with your favorite celesbians, and so much more.

Mariah Hanson founded world famous Club Skirts Dinah Shore Weekend in 1991 with the intention of creating a safe space for women and women-identified individuals to celebrate, unite, and empower each other. Since then, the event has grown to be considered the largest lesbian event in the world. Hanson has not only carried on her mission with an event once a year, but has used the Dinah to spread this message all year long through her important work with organizations such as The HRC, National Center for Lesbian Rights, and GLAAD. Giving back to the community is at the core of The Dinah.

Hanson also has a keen ear for the best musical acts that appeal to the female listener.

From 2018 headliner Jessie Reyez, whose short film The Gatekeeper, and song of the same title are considered precursors to the #metoo movement and Madame Gandhi’s “Future is Female” to past acts such as Lady Gaga, Kesha, and Katy Perry, festival-goers know they’re always in for a great show! There’s a great lineup in store for 2019.

The Dinah is pleased to welcome Grammy Award winning artist Daya as a headlining performer for the 2019 event! After making her debut with 2016’s double-platinum single “Hide Away,” 20-year-old singer/songwriter Daya wasted no time in skyrocketing her career. Soon after, she won her first ever Grammy Award for the smash collaboration with The Chainsmokers “Don’t Let Me Down” (6x platinum), released a gold-certified album, and headlined a national tour. Just months after debuting at #5 on Billboard’s 21 Under 21 list in 2016, the Pittsburgh-born independent artist emerged as the youngest honoree on Forbes’ 30 Under 30 music list in 2017. Currently finishing up her sophomore album, which will showcase the full depth of her talent and artistry, Daya hopes to continue the conversation on love, life, and the current state of our world with her fans, and

8

EVENTS

looks forward to releasing new music in early 2019.

Kiana Ledé will be bringing her soulful R&B stylings to the Dinah stage, sharing her confessional and catchy songs to connect and unite us all! A self-made singer, songwriter, and actress, Kiana’s message is one of empowerment and never giving up despite challenges and disadvantages. She explains that growing up as a mixed race girl, she was able to pull from many influences, making her music so unique in today’s world full of copy-of-a-copy pop stars.

With so many amazing musical performances already on the books for The Dinah 2019, they’re also excited about their hilarious comedy talent: Fortune Feimster and Chaunte Wayans! Both of these amazing women are making huge waves in the comedy world, appearing in feature films and on hit TV shows across major networks, collaborating with the likes of Chelsea Handler and Katt Williams, and releasing stand up specials on Comedy Central and Netflix. Both women are wonderful examples of never holding back your talents and powering through to find massive success in a traditionally maledominated industry. They can’t wait for them to put stitches in your side at The Dinah’s Comedy Show.

Schedule of Events Wed. April 3 - The Dinah Official Pre-Party @ Hilton Pool (7pm-11pm) Thur. April 4 - The Dinah Opening Party @ Village Pub (9pm-2am) Performance by Taylor Rene, the winner of our Emerging Artist Contest Fri. April 5 - TGIDF Pool Party @ Hilton Pool (12pm-6pm) Performance by Kodie Shane The Black and White Ball @ PSCC (8pm-2am) Comedy Show ft. Fortune Feimster and Chaunte Wayans Red Carpet Arrivals Performance by Leikeli47 Sat. April 6 - THE L Word Pool Party @ Hilton Pool (10am-6pm) Performance by Dorian Electra Performance by Bri Steves The Hollywood Party @ PSCC (9pm-2am) Stuzo Fashion Show, Red Carpet Arrivals, Performance by Daya Sun. April 7 - Sunday Funday Pool Party @ Hilton Pool (11am-6pm) Performance by Kiana Ledé The Dinah Closing Party @ Village Pub (9pm2am) Performance by Diiamond Royalty

JOAN JETT & THE BLACKHEARTS MUSIC

WITH SPECIAL GUEST ELLE KING HEADED TO FANTASY SPRINGS RESORT CASINO ON MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND

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ock and Roll Hall of Fame members, Joan Jett & the Blackhearts, will be joined by up and coming country-rock singer-songwriter Elle King for an incredible night of music at The Special Events Center at Fantasy Springs Resort Casino on Sunday, May 26, 2019.

Joan Jett is an originator, an innovator, and a visionary. As the leader of the hard-rocking Blackhearts, with whom she has become a Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee, she’s had eight platinum and gold albums and nine Top 40 singles, including the classics “Bad Reputation,” “I Love Rock ‘N’ Roll,” “I Hate Myself For Loving You,” and “Crimson and Clover.”

Her independent record label, Blackheart Records, was founded in 1980 after she was rejected by no less than 23 labels. Blackheart is one of the longest running indie labels and continues to give voice to new bands. Jett has acted in movies and television, including 1987’s Light Of Day, and in a Tony-nominated Broadway musical, The Rocky Horror Show.

Her music has become a permanent force in mainstream culture. A version of “I Hate Myself for Loving You” was reworked for NBC’s Sunday Night Football theme song, “Waiting All Day for Sunday Night,” and was performed for 9 seasons by the likes of Pink, Faith Hill and Carrie Underwood. Her music is heard in countless films and TV shows including Easy - A, Kick Ass, The Runaways, Shrek, Baby Mama, and many more.

Multi-platinum and Grammy-nominated recording artist Elle King released her critically-acclaimed second album, Shake The Spirit in October 2018, featuring current single “Baby Outlaw.” Shake the Spirit is the follow up to her debut album Love Stuff which featured her breakthrough single “Ex’s & Oh’s,” and earned her two GRAMMY nominations and was certified double platinum. The track hit No. 1 on Billboard’s Hot Rock Songs Chart, and topped the AAA, Hot AC, and Alternative Radio charts, leading King to become the second female artist in 18 years to reach No. 1 at the latter format.

She was also featured on Dierks Bentley’s GRAMMY-nominated No. 1 Country Airplay hit “Different For Girls” (she performed it with Bentley at the CMA Awards and took home an award for “Musical Event of the

Year”). King also performed for President Obama in honor of Mavis Staples at the 2016 Kennedy Center Honors.

Shake The Spirit lead single “Shame,” became her fourth radio #1 single and led Elle to become the only act in history to have scored number 1 singles on the Adult Pop Songs, Adult Alternative Songs, Alternative Songs and Country Airplay charts. Her new single “Baby Outlaw,” is currently Top 10 at AAA Radio. Rolling Stone wrote of her Austin City Limits live set: “Elle King is a little bit country, a little bit rock n’ roll, but ultimately, she’s punk as fuck.” Variety wrote of her Philadelphia Shake The Spirit tour date “…

King churned the clotted cream of punkish country, raw R&B, crotchety rock and deep blues into rich, buttery musical drama with her band, The Brethren… (she) belted, crooned, purred, sauntered and swaggered her way through a tautly rocking set…one thing became very clear: nearly every song that came before (the finale) was equally contagious, catty-cool, and hit-worthy.”

Elle King will be appearing on the new season of American Idol next month and performed on Good Morning America, Late Show With Stephen Colbert, Live with Kelly and Ryan, and The Late Late Show with James Corden, and Late Night With Seth Meyers, in support of her new album. Visit www. elleking.com for more.

Tickets for the 8PM Joan Jett & the Blackhearts and Elle King show are on sale now for $89, $69, $49 at the Fantasy Springs Box Office, via telephone (800) 827-2946 or online at FantasySpringsResort.com.

www.coachellavalleyweekly.com

DESERT RHYTHM PROJECT AND FRIENDS CELEBRATE THE RELEASE OF SEASONS – A 53 SONG COLLABORATIVE

March 28 to April 3, 2019

BY LISA MORGAN

are multiple collaborators and guest musical performers on the album. Some of the guest musical performers include Bryanna Evaro, WilldaBeast, Provoked, Giselle Woo, Scott “Drago” Kissinger, Christian Colin, Vanessa Reddin, Gene Evaro Jr, Colin Murphy, Tyler Saraca, Juan Delara Jr., Michael Cordova and Mitchell Araganda. All of these beautiful people were involved in one or more of the 53 songs that are on this new album.”

Seasons will be available on March 30 for sale at Desert Rhythm Project’s album release party in Joshua Tree, and will also be

available for purchase on their website, www. desertrhythmproject.com. “The album will eventually be available on all streaming apps and music services,” announced Reyes. “But for now, it is kind of an exclusive item that can only be purchased from the hands of the artist themselves.”

The release party will be held at the Joshua Tree Lake Campgrounds on March 30, 2019.

“The party is a camp-out,” Reyes explained.

“We are super excited about sharing our new album with all of our friends, fans and family, while staying the night under the beautiful stars, with everyone who has supported us along this journey.”

The camp out starts early on Saturday afternoon. The gate is open at 2PM and music will begin at 4 PM. Performing artist include: 4:00 – 4:45 PM Paul Silva 5:15-6:00 PM Gene Evaro Jr 6:30-7:15 PM Gabriella Evaro 7:45-8:30 PM WillDaBeast 8:35-8:45 PM Joshua Tree Kids Jam 9:00 PM Desert Rhythm Project.

There will also be a Late-Night Silent Disco with guest DJs DJ ODC, DJ Princess and DJ Addict.

If you consider yourself a connoisseur of good music, and want to get an authentic sense of the spirit that is the high desert music scene, this is an opportunity not to be missed.

Saturday, March 30th, Gates open at 2PM Joshua Tree Lake Campgrounds 2601 Sunfair Rd, Joshua Tree, CA 92252 TICKETS: desertrhythmproject.com

top musicians teaching, in small rock band format, the top young musicians in their performance and concert production skills through rehearsals, workshops, individual instruction, and live performances. A yearround after school program was added after the 2016 summer camp to provide instruction and performance opportunities all year round at a variety of events in our community. AMP auditions for Summer Camp are scheduled at the Indio location April 7, May 4 & May 11. To register, go to https://bit.ly/2HG6UZr. The AMP program was seed funded with a 3-year grant from Goldenvoice

to get the organization up and running.

“Without the support from Goldenvoice, there is no way we could have launched this incredibly valuable program to our Valley’s youth,” states Kate Spates, AMP Volunteer CEO and co-founder. “Now we are looking to our community to continue to support the goals of the organization.”

The AMP mission is to enrich the lives of young musicians by fostering productivity and social responsibility through creativity, communication and collaboration in the development and enhancement of musical performance and concert production skills through participation in a “rock band” style educational setting.

“This is a program that benefits individuals that maybe aren’t into sports, or they aren’t a fit for orchestra or the marching band in school - they have been alone in their rooms, teaching themselves how to play music. For many, they had never played music together with another person until joining AMP, so this program is transformative and essential by giving young people a safe space in which to create, communicate, and collaborate,” states Will Sturgeon, AMP Executive Director and a singer-songwriter himself.

For more information about Academy of Musical Performance visit ampcv.org or call 760-537-5AMP (5267).

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he Joshua Tree music scene has attracted regional and national media in the last couple of years. While it may be a new, up-and-coming scene to those looking for options outside of Los Angeles or even Nashville, our high desert local artists and award-winning festival producer, Barnett English and team have been knee deep in it and growing the scene for years now. One such staple of the high desert music scene, Desert Rhythm Project, fronted by Mikey Reyes and Bryanna Evaro, has been working overtime with fellow creatives over the past year. March 30th, at the sight of the Joshua Tree Music Festival grounds, DRP will release a 53 song collaborative album and celebrate it with a camp out under the stars in pure high desert fashion.

“Word Play Wednesday” was initially a personal challenge that Reyes created to share one song every week over social media.

Reyes dubbed it “Wordplay Wednesday 760,” and the combination of roots, soul, funk and hip-hop bring messages of truth, sometimes gentle, sometimes sharply poignant, but always soaked in love. Their personal challenge to present live original videos of their music weekly, displays the incredible depth of talent harbored within these prolific artists and their colleagues. It is awe inspiring to say the least. Now all 53 songs will be available in one recorded collection.

“The idea of a Wordplay Wednesday album

evolved about halfway through the year of us putting out a new track every week,” Mikey Reyes shared. “The amount of support and the momentum that it created, from what started out as a weekly musical meditation, inspired the thought behind the action of putting out a Wordplay Wednesday album. The album title is Seasons. The name is representative of what the album is – a collection of a yearlong creative, meditative, songwriting hustle, so the title seemed fitting and true to the tone of Wordplay Wednesday. Seasons is a four-disc album consisting of 53 original songs. There

ACADEMY OF MUSICAL PERFORMANCE (AMP) WILL HOST SPRING SHOWCASE AT INDIO ESTATE

A

cademy of Musical Performance (AMP) will host a spring showcase performance at co-founder Roman Whittaker’s estate The Respite in Indio on Friday, March 29 at 6:30 p.m. It will be a culmination of 12 weeks of rehearsals featuring three AMP Spring 2019 program bands and two AMPlumni bands (Side B, Thankful Pedestrian and the Tsunamis, Secondhand Identity, Silver Sky, and Traveler). Both original and cover songs will be performed by these young musicians, and for some newcomers to the program, it will be their first public performance.

The night will feature delicious food, your favorite beer and wine, and of course, our Spring AMP bands putting on professionalquality show-stopping performances.

Award-winning AMPlumni band Traveler will be closing the night with an energetic set!

VIP ticket will get you access to VIP parking, a pre-show cocktail reception, access to a full bar, dinner, and seats for the show. All AMP Angels are invited to join us for the afterparty from 8:30-10 pm at The Ranch across the street from the show venue. You will have the opportunity to become an AMP Angel the night of the show by subscribing as a monthly AMP donor at

a price level suitable for all budgets. Tickets are available at https://bit.ly/2Cw6XD9.

All proceeds from the night will go towards supporting our incredible AMP community as we lift up the next generation of Coachella Valley musicians and entertainers. The Academy of Musical Performance is a not-for-profit 501c(3) organization—tax ID #82-1561015.

Special thank you to our major sponsors to date, including The Respite, The Ranch, Renova Energy, Jake Duke, and the Sweet Stuff Foundation.

With the cooperation with the City of Indio, AMP has a new studio located at 82719 Miles Avenue in Indio which has become home to the organization’s AMP Fall and Spring after school and weekend program where students age 10-18 from a variety of Coachella Valley schools practice for performances around the Valley and beyond.

AMP will be selling their logo merchandise as well as accepting donations to the non-profit program. All proceeds help fund scholarships and buy equipment for students who may not have been able to participate in this program otherwise.

AMP is known for its outstanding summer music camp, featuring the Valley’s

LOCAL MUSIC

EVENTS

9

March 28 to April 3, 2019

CONSIDER THIS

I

f you’ve never heard of Robin Lane & The Chartbusters, you’re easily forgiven.

Despite their memorably lengthy name, catchy, yet complex songs and an ardent hometown fan base, the five-piece never had much of a presence on mainstream radio.

Nearly 40 years later, that fact remains a head-scratcher, as this Boston band had the goods.

Robin Lane grew up in Los Angeles on the edges of the music business. In fact, her dad, Ken Lane, was Dean Martin’s longtime pianist and wrote one of his biggest hits, “Everybody Loves Somebody.” Even though she and her dad were estranged, she inherited his musical abilities.

Born in 1947, she was old enough to experience the infamous Sunset Strip scene of the late ‘60s. During that era, bands like the Byrds, Buffalo Springfield, the Doors and Love were blowing minds in Clubs like Ciro’s, Pandora’s Box and the Whisky A Go-Go. A friendship with the band Crazy Horse led to an association with Neil Young. That’s Robin singing back-up on “Round And Round,” from his 1969 album, Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere. At this point she had married and British Guitarist Andy Summers, (they would divorce in 1970). A decade later he would top the charts as guitarist for the Police.

An aspiring singer-songwriter, she relocated to Boston in 1977, armed with a plethora of original songs. She arrived just as for Punk and New Wave were exploding.

Bands like DMZ, The Neighborhoods, The Real Kids, and of course, The Cars, were carving out a niche in the thriving club scene. When Cheap Trick played a three-night stand at The Paradise, she attended each show. Not long after, she received a Punk Rock tutorial from Alan “Alpo” Paulino, bassist from The Real Kids, her education became complete when she raided her roommate’s record collection, immersing herself in seminal sounds from Television, Dwight Twilley and The Flamin’ Groovies.

Actually, she’d already secured a record deal, so she was able to recruit a killer band.

Bassist Scott Baerenwald and guitarist Asa Brebner had kicked around the scene for a while, they had recently played together in one of the city’s first Punk bands, Mickey Clean & The Mez. Guitarist Leroy Radcliffe had spent time with Asa as part of Jonathan

10

www.coachellavalleyweekly.com

“MANY YEARS AGO” ROBIN LANE & THE CHARTBUSTERS (BLIXA SOUNDS)

Richman’s Modern Lovers. Drummer Tim Jackson completed the line-up. Their name, Robin Lane & The Chart Busters, was a tongue-in-cheek tribute to Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers.

Robin already had a surplus of songs, some she discarded, others became retrofit Rockers.

The band’s sound became a potent concoction that streamlined myriad influences: British Invasion, Punk and New Wave with a hint of Folk. The record label, Private Stock, (best known these days for releasing Blondie’s debut, but notable at the time for a panoply of Soft Rock hits like “Moonlight Feels Right,” “Don’t Give Up On Us Baby” and “Making Our Dreams Come True,” a.k.a. the theme from “Laverne & Shirley”), were less interested in Robin and the band’s tougher sound, so they dropped them. But they rebounded, signing with Warner Brothers instead.

Their self-titled debut arrived in 1980, the first single, ironically, just scraped the bottom of charts. The band was huge in their hometown, but that popularity never translated nationally or globally. They released 5 Live EP as a stopgap before recording their second full-length record and it displayed a brawnier sound then the studio versions.

They delivered a sophomore effort in early 1981, but that too was lost in the shuffle. The record label seemed to abdicate all the responsibilities involved in breaking a new act and the band felt pretty much abandoned. Complicating matters, Robin and Leroy Radcliffe became romantically involved, married, were expecting a child together and were now breaking up. The band sputtered on for a bit and then called it quits.

Robin and the guys all continued to work in the music industry in different capacities and actually reunited for a few years in the early 2000s, recording a third long-player, Piece Of Mind. More recently, Chartbuster drummer Tim Jackson directed a compelling documentary about Robin and the band entitled “When Things Go Wrong.” The film chronicled Robin’s intriguing history as well as the band’s.

Now Blixa Sounds has released a career defining Robin & The Chartbusters compilation that aims to entice newcomers and completists alike. The Los Angeles-based re-issue label has assembled Many Years Ago, an exhaustive three CD set. The first disc features the band’s self-titled debut and 1981’s Imitation Of Life in their entirety.

The set opens tentatively with the first single, “When Things Go Wrong.” Tensile rhythm guitar pivots around a dropped beat and jangly lead guitar riffs, feeling both hypnotic and edgy. But it’s Robin’s vocals that command the listener’s complete attention.

Her sultry contralto sandwiches neatly between Punk Priestess Patty Smith and Goth Goddess Siouxsie Sioux, but still conveys a warmth and earthiness those contemporaries hadn’t quite harnessed at that point.

The debut deftly hopscotches through a variety of styles. Beginning with the Power Pop/Rockabilly stomp of “It’ll Only Hurt A Little While,” which features this telling couplet; “Who said it would be easy, who said You could stay high, we’re like dead rats in a

BY ELENI P. AUSTIN

maze, floating by on a river Of life,” A trickedout guitar solo on the break echoes the duckwalking grace of Chuck Berry, without ever feeling derivative.

“Without You” blends staccato vocals, search-and-destroy bass lines, a “George-OfThe-Jungle” backbeat and aggro Surf Guitar.

Robin’s jittery delivery underscores a fragile sense of independence; “I was tense and I was nervous, didn’t know where to go, when I was so low, that I was on my own without you.”

The best tracks here include the wailing whipsaw of “I Don’t Want To Know,” which references the rise and fall of Punk Rock’s first Fun couple, Sid and Nancy. Over a slingshot rhythm, angular bass and whip-crack riff-age, she parses the details of Sid Vicious’ drugaddled descent, culminating in the stabbing death of his abrasive partner in crime, Nancy Spungeon.

Then there’s the angular angst of “Waitin’ In Line,” which pairs a tick-tock, hi-hat beat to stripped-down guitars. Here, Robin issues a stark warning; “You’re sitting there so at ease, you digest me with facts like a piece of cheese, and then you chew me up and you spit me back, but you better watch out ‘cause I strike back.”

A locomotive rhythm and darting guitars drive the action on “Many Years Ago.” Nuanced lyrics wrap a True Crime narrative around a lean and economical melody that echoes ‘60s Garage stalwarts like the Seeds and the Music Machine.

Other standout tracks include the New Wave-y/Folk Rock pastiche of “Don’t Cry,” the twitchy, teardrop Bolero of “Be Mine Tonight” and the Country-tinged “Kathy Lee.” The selftitled album closes out with the blistering pogo of “Don’t Wait ‘Till Tomorrow.”

The second half of disc one is devoted to 1981’s “Imitation Of Life” album. Robin & The Chartbusters’ sophomore effort neatly doubles down on the winning formula of their debut, but manages to volte-face between primitive urges and a sleeker, more polished sound. The opening cut, “Send Me” weaves marauding bass, curvilinear guitars and a metronomic meter. The mood feels subterranean and covert. Actions and emotions are hinted at rather than spelled out.

From the stealthy Goth of “What The People Want” and the torchy groover of “Say Goodbye,” to the bee-stung bravado of “Rather Go Blind” and the winsome shimmer of “Solid Rock” The band’s growing pains are

on full display. Still, as the album plays out, the jigsaw pieces manage to come together.

The title track is a fractious, whirling dervish anchored by a rough and tumble beat and sinewy guitars. A vivid cri de Couer, it offers a mission statement of sorts; “Living on the planet isn’t a chore, I got what I need, I don’t need more.”

The amphetamine rush of “No Control” is powered by a pile-driving rhythm and sugar rush guitars. As the arrangement gathers speed, harmonica and subtle keys are layered in. By the instrumental break, guitars rev and see-saw and the drums lock into a blitzkrieg beat, before stopping on a dime.

Other interesting tracks include the crunchy delight of “Pretty Mala,” and the Girl Group-y swoon of “Idiot.” “Imitation Life” closes with Spector-esque ballad “For You.” The first 11 tracks of disc two are new tunes that were recorded by Robin and some of the Chartbusters for a third album.

Ultimately, only four were released as an EP entitled Heart Connection and credited solely to Robin Lane. There’s a smooth and glossy sheen to songs like “Hard Cover” and “Believe,” that screams mid ‘80s production values. “Shot In The Dark” nearly collapses under the weight of shiny, happy synthesizers and “True Confessions” is mired in icy keys and programmed drums.

The seven unreleased songs from the Heart... sessions manage to display a toughness the EP lacks. “Lookin’ So Hard” positively swaggers while “Words Of Love” is strikingly ambitious. The rest of Disc two is given over to demos and studio rarities that date back to the late ‘70s and end with two solo 1990 tracks that harken back to Robin’s singer-songwriter beginnings.

Disc Three features the 5 Live EP in its entirety. The mini-set confirms that Robin and the lads were a formidable live band. The remaining 17 tracks are all live and previously unreleased. They include gems like the hulking “Caught In The Act,” the searching “Somebody Else” and the piquant “Talk To You,” Then there’s the rollicking “Are You A Hero Now,” the gangly athleticism of “Last One To Know” and so much more; truly an embarrassment of riches.

Why Robin Lane & The Chartbusters never made a bigger splash remains a mystery. Robin was the first woman to front an all-male band, beating both Chrissie Hynde and Joan Jett to the punch. Their concise songcraft, matched with her shape-shifter vocals and whip-smart lyrics evinced the kind of appeal that could attract Punks and Rockers alike. She aspired to be the female Iggy Pop, but that wasn’t in the cards. Ironically, the sound she and the band created positioned them as a distaff Tom Petty And The Heartbreakers. Sadly, the music business was too short-sighted to recognize it.

Luckily, Blixa Sounds has given the world another chance to discover Robin Lane & The Chartbusters. Now it’s up to the World to catch up.

ARTSCENE

www.coachellavalleyweekly.com

March 28 to April 3, 2019

BY ANGELA ROMEO

SMART PHONE SAVVY – MARGIN OF ERROR AND REVOLUTIONS

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e are very much a wireless wired world. Clearly that is evident in Desert X‘s Margin Of Error and Revolutions by Nancy Baker Cahill. Both of these installations may only be experienced through a smartphone app.

Nancy Baker Cahill received her B.A. from Williams College and began her career describing TV and movies for the blind and visually impaired at WGBH in Boston.

She is very much a part of the art and technology relationship. She is the founder of 4th Wall, a free Augmented Reality (AR) app that invites viewers to place art in 360 degrees anywhere in the world. This new approach to art in public places puts the viewer a virtual reality.

In her artist statement Cahill wrote that by “using media including drawing, video, virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), and original sound, I attempt to isolate simultaneous moments of exertion, violence, defiance, and stillness in my graphite and digital mark-making. I am equally interested in power dynamics and how they shift, strain and contract. On paper and in virtual space, my process is deeply physical. My hope is that this energy is present in the experience of the work.”

She further stated “(A)ccess to art is essential to me. My goal with all of my projects is to offer unexpected perspectives to new audiences that in turn provoke conversation and affect a broader cultural dialogue.”

Revolutions and Margin of Error do achieve these goals. Once the awe of virtual reality passes, the viewer is exposed to how progress may impact any ecosystem for good or for bad. Progress takes something away from the environment and replaces it with something else. It is when those action merge, does the full impact of the work becomes its own reality.

Revolutions is viewed from the wind farm located near Tipton Road and Highway 111 in Palm Springs. The installation was originally located near North Indian Canyon Drive, but, almost as if Nature was working with Cahill, the recent flooding caused the move.

Revolutions is about a disruption. The disruption of the natural landscape by the windmills is further disrupted by the animated digitally rendered mechanical garden. Cahill’s cacophony however provides no permanent impact to the vista. It adds to the disruption while not contributing. No environmental impact, save for the impact of the visitor to the location, is created. The installation, according the artist, highlights how our need for energy has negatively impacted on the ecosystem.

The second installation is located at the North Shore Yacht Club at the Slaton Sea. Margin of Error highlights the strange ecosystem that is the Salton Sea. An area of

great beauty and greater toxicity, the Salton Sea was created by human error and has consequences that have fully been realized.

While the Yacht Club once had its members the location is a reminder of what may happen when man interferes Cahill is part of growing number of female artists working in virtual reality and land art. What is Land art? It is an art movement that may have its route in Stonehenge but is commonly referred to an environmental movement that emerged in the 1960s with artists such as James Turrell creating largescale, site-specific outdoor works using boulders, soil and surrounding vegetation set off by the sky and lines of the horizon.

The movement was a rejection of the commercialization of art and fell in to the paradigm of the ecological awareness of the 60’s. The works were often inaccessible and relied on photography to bring the work to the dreaded urban centers.

Cahill has taken the concept of Land Art and brought it into the digital world. Her approach has far less negative impact than the earthmoving work of Turrell but her impact is no less powerful. Revolutions and Margin of Error are works that deserve to be seen multiple times. Each viewing brings another layer to the consciousness and cements the genius of Cahill.

For more information on Desert X visit desertx.org.

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March 28 to April 3, 2019

T

PET PLACE

he dog huddled in the back of his kennel at the public animal shelter, frightened, shut down and hopeless.

He was terrified when they brought him in.

A local resident contacted the Desert Hot Springs Animal Care and Control Center shelter regarding a stray dog they had brought into their home. The responding officer suspected from the dog’s demeanor that the caller was quite possibly an owner who didn’t want him anymore. He underwent the 5-day stray hold awaiting any person who might claim him as their pet. No one came for him.

The shelter staff named the dog Arnie, and estimated his age to be about 5 years old. The dog had several strikes against him, in addition to being another homeless dog in a county overwhelmed with stray and unwanted animals.

Though only 22 pounds, Arnie he looked like he might be part “bully breed”. He did not look like a highly adoptable dog in a community where many folks seek poodles, and other little fluffy pups. Who would want to adopt a dog who withdrew every time he met a new person? He had scars on his face, the origin of which are unknown.

Kathlyn “Kat” Palmer, animal care center technician, gave Arnie treats which he hesitantly accepted. Kat sat with him in his kennel, hoping her presence would bring him some comfort.

Eventually she took him into her office to hang out, and occasionally he would sleep on her lap while she worked.

MEET PAPI Amazing kitten Papi is leash & harness trained ready to take a walk with you! This 8-mo old playful fellow was rescued by www.lovingallanimals.org, call (760) 834-7000 to meet him.

MEET MIMI Adorable Mimi was found in the streets by a good Samaritan, and no one claimed her. Just 1 ½ years old, this precious Chihuahua girl is a real charmer.

She adores all humans and other small dogs. At Loving All Animals Pet Rescue Center, www.lovingallanimals.org call (760) 398-7722.

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ARNIE’S STORY

Kat was concerned about Arnie’s fate if he went to the county shelter at the end of his stray hold. Kat contacted local rescue organization Loving All Animals explaining, “We wanted him to have a chance. If Arnie could transition into a loving foster home, he would have a chance for a great forever home.” Jan Cooksley agreed to foster for LAA, and Arnie was out of the shelter.

Jan observed, “The first thing I noticed was his sad and distant eyes. Arnie had very little emotion, and his eyes seemed to look right through me. It took about 24 hours for him to relax. Wish I could have got into his head to find out what happened to this gentle, sensitive boy.

He was clearly abused. After he was neutered, I slept on the living room floor with him to make sure he didn’t lick his incision. He loved that, and he started to open up and we became pals.” Eventually, Arnie was moved to the organization’s Pet Rescue Center shelter so that he could become socialized with the other dogs.

There was much debate and discussion about Arnie’s breed. The DHS shelter listed him as an Italian greyhound mixed with Chihuahua.

Some people thought he resembled a small pit bull, though his snout is more narrow than most of this breed. Another “expert” guessed he was a mix of Italian greyhound and Basenji.

Whatever his breed, the shutdown dog was deemed difficult to adopt.

Tom Meyers was thinking about getting another dog. He went on the Loving all Animals website (www.lovingallanimals.org) and saw

Arnie’s photo. Tom recalls, “I half hoped the he was already adopted when I called about Arnie.

I was in the midst of some life changes. But somehow I couldn’t stop thinking about Arnie.

Today, Arnie could not be a better dog for me, he is my little miracle, and could not be any more special. He’s a star wherever we go. People always try to guess what breed he is.”

Initially Arnie did not want to leave the Pet Rescue Center, clinging to the place that was “home” for a while, not trusting the change.

Thankfully dog trainer Jim Turcott was present for the transition and helped get Arnie into Tom’s car. All went well at Tom’s house and a

BY JANET McAFEE message arrived with Arnie’s picture contentedly sitting on the living room couch, “Arnie had an excellent first night. He has already claimed two recliners that face the golf course. Thank you for saving him just for me!”

When a scared rescue dog finds the right home, a magical transformation takes place.

Arnie who was so withdrawn, today exudes a sense of confidence. Tom’s partner’s dog, Rosie, introduced Arnie to the world of dog toys, and the dog who never played has discovered new joys. The dog once terrified of getting into a car now enjoys frequent car trips with Tom. The dog who once cringed when meeting strangers now happily greets them. Folks inevitably ask the same question, “What kind of a dog is Arnie?”

What kind of a dog is Arnie? He’s a wonderful, amazing, loving, smart, happy, loyal dog who, thanks to some caring people, got a second chance. Kudo’s to Kat Palmer and the staff at the Desert Hot Springs Animal Care and Control Center who are truly committed to helping their city’s homeless animals. Kudo’s to foster parents like Jan Cooksley who has fostered and loved 22 homeless dogs. Kudos to adopters like Tom Meyers who proclaims, “There are wonderful, grateful shelter dogs out there that are not fluffies or puppies. I can’t thank Loving All Animals enough for the gift of Arnie.” janetmcafee8@gmail.com

THE VINO VOICE

www.coachellavalleyweekly.com

BY RICK RIOZZA

APRIL WINE SHENANIGANS

R

ight around the time spring has sprung, there is always interesting news surrounding the wide world of wine. Here are just a couple three or so stories we’ve caught and pondered: It’s All Over—The Drought is Over!

Channeling the Door’s musical tune in the song, “Unknown Soldier”, many folks in California Wine Country are chanting that very melody but with the words, “it’s all over...the drought is over.” (Caution—that tune can get in your head quickly and you’ll probably be humming it all day—that is if you even know the song, or, if you’re over 70.)

Anyway—it doesn’t take a Channel 7 meteorologist up in Napa to finally declare that the drought, that threatened the end to the mother of all wine harvests, is factually or legally over. According to Drought USA instigated in 2000, the longest duration of drought in California lasted 376 weeks beginning on December 27, 2011 and ending on March 5th, 2019. The most intense period of drought occurred the week of October 28, 2014 where 58.41% of California land was parched to the point that the state assembly was close to legally declaring over half of California a “ghost town scenario.”

Although there are currently severe flooding conditions affecting the majority of the region due to extreme rains and snow, many of Napa/Sonoma’s most iconic wineries & “high-high end wineries” are all in with the “Drought-Over 2019” festivities and celebrations. Indeed, there seems to be an on-going “dare” to open and share bottles of the wineries’ premium wine with everyone who’s looking to the heavens and giving praise to Dionysus, or Bacchus—some lean Greek, others Roman.

I don’t know what your plans are in the next couple of weeks, but if you’re in the area, I’d be rushing over and shoving my way into the line at these free pouring events: Screaming Eagle, White Zinfandel. It would appear that “the Eagle is blushing” over this new release of a high-flying rosé which is sourced from select vineyards

March 28 to April 3, 2019

in and around Imperial County. Winery notes indicate: “There are sanguine notes of salinity, no doubt influenced by the proximity to the Salton Sea, along with some cactus flower & strawberry-rhubarb jam.

Napa Valley Harlan Estate Bordeaux Red Blend. One of the first California “cult” wines that dealt a death blow to Bordeaux, will be on hand to pour 3.5 ounces of its latest red wine release. “We’d love to pour more—but this “Drought-Over” party kinda took us by surprise.” The winery went on to say, “This was an interesting vintage, unfortunately our Cabernet Sauvignon barrels were mislabeled as Cab Franc, and, we found this year’s Merlot to be Carménère. We’re still looking forward to a great time.”

Ghost Horse Vineyard ‘Fantome’ Cabernet Sauvignon. The average price of this bottle of wine goes for around $988.

“In the late 90’s, Todd Anderson, owner and winemaker of Anderson’s Conn Valley Vineyards, started to develop the most heard about, talked about wine in the world, but kept it a secret for 10 years.” (Their words, not mine.)

The first vintage of Ghost Horse was 2000

and it wasn’t until December of 2009 that the world discovered that these legendary wines did indeed exist. A double-blind tasting event called “Cult Wines against Ghost Horse” was held in New York City and the Ghost Horse wines have been some of the most talked about wines in the world since.

With a new marketing plan reversing old ways, the winery will go all out in celebrating with free pours to expose their wines to the public. Word just came out that Ghost Pines Winery, owned by Gallo Wines who prices their wine at around $14, said they wish to join with Ghost Horse in the wine pouring celebrations. Ghost Horse declined Ghost Pines’ offer, claiming, “There can be some brand confusion going on.” Ghost Pines countered that during the seven days of wine partying, “there will be bigger issues of confusion going on.”

Next, and sadly, we just heard the news that the The Savvy Cellar Wine Bar & Wine Shop, a fixture on the San Francisco Bay Peninsula for the past six and a half years, said it was shutting its doors. Savvy Cellar was to be converted to an animal center over the next month.

On its blog the cellar reported that, owner, Jennifer Ayre, had said: “Launching and building this wine bar and wine shop was a childhood dream and became a lifelong passion of mine. Deciding to cease operations was not an easy decision. We hope all of our countless loyal customers will understand.”

As a final note, the blog reported that no jobs would be lost as Savvy Cellar management has met with current employees and assured all of them that they will be retained as employees of the new Animal Centre.

The timing was unfortunate however for the chief wine taster who had just come aboard. Making the most of the situation— and content to at least have a job, the taster commented, “Of course animals and wine do go together quite well—I guess.”

The Christian Post recently had a headline that read, “Grape Juice Companies Concerned About Profits After Southern Baptists Announce Switch to Wine for Communion.” “I look forward to any change that makes communion more like the original Last Supper [one Southern Baptist]” said, adding that he will also “celebrate with bare and recently washed feet—and maybe pointing out a betrayer or two.”

Napa’s Hall Winery poked some fun at themselves, with a 35-foot sculpture of a rabbit that can be seen leaping from their vineyards alongside Highway 29 in St. Helena. They sent out a press release about a new sculpture installation. The bad news here is that the sculpture more resembles an anteater a la U.C. Irvine, in a less than acceptable pose. A local resident said, “Is it terrible—but you kind of want to see it!”

Well—Cheers to April Fools!

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March 28 to April 3, 2019

www.coachellavalleyweekly.com

THUR MARCH 28

29 PALMS INN; 29 Palms; 760-367-3505 Bobby Furgo & Co 6pm ACE HOTEL; PS; 760-325-9900 Southern Soul Spinners 9pm AGAVE LOUNGE@THE HYATT REGENCY; IW; 760-674-4080 Tyler Simmons 7-11pm AJ’S ON THE GREEN; C.C.; 760-202-1111 Bill and Doug Duo 6:30pm BART LOUNGE; C.C.; 760-799-8800 DJ John Paul 7pm BERNIE’S; RM; 760-202 4499 Rob Carter Trio w/ Brian Dennigan 7pm BIG ROCK PUB; IND; 706-200-8988 Industry Night w/ Guy Worden 9pm BLUEMBER; RM; 760-862-4581 John Stanley King 6-10pm CASTELLI’S; PD; 760-773-3365 Patrick Tuzzolino 5:30pm CASUELAS CAFÉ; PD; 760-568-0011 Johnny Meza and Co. 6-10pm CATALAN; RM; 760-770-9508 George Christian 6-9pm CHEF GEORGE’S PICASSO LOUNGE; PD; 760-200-1768 Michael D’Angelo 6:30-9:30pm, DJ 9:30pm COPA NIGHTCLUB; PS; 760-866-0021 Lipstick hosted by Bella Da Ball 8pm, DJs Banks and Ax 10pm CUNARD’S SANDBAR; LQ; 760-564-3660 Bill Baker 6pm DESMOND’S @ THE S; RM; 760-328-2111 TBA 5-8pm DHS SPA LOUNGE; DHS; 760-329-6787 Karaoke w/ DJ Scott 9pm EUREKA; IW; 760-834-7700 Derek Jordan Gregg 8-10pm FISHERMAN’S GROTTO; PD; 760-776-6534 Barry Baughn Blues Band 5:30-8:30pm FRANK’S PLACE; IW; 760-797-8700 Patricia Welsh 6-9pm HENRY’S SPORTS BAR AND GRILL; CC; 760656-3444 DJ 10pm

THE HOOD; PD; 760-636-5220 Red’s Rockstar Karaoke 9pm HOODOO COCKTAIL GARDEN @ THE HYATT; PS; 760-322-9000 Chris Lomeli 7pm HOTEL PASEO; PD; Michael Keeth 4-7pm JOSHUA TREE SALOON; JT; 760-366-2250 TBA 9pm LANDMARK LOUNGE; LQ; 760-289-6736 DJ Alex Harrington 7pm LA QUINTA RESORT; LQ; 760-564-4111 Steppin Out 6-9pm LAS CASUELAS TERRAZA; PS; 760-325-2794 Hot Roxx 6:30pm LIT@FANTASY SPRINGS; IND; 760-345-2450 Country Night w/ Rob Staley 9pm THE LOUNGE, AGUA CALIENTE; RM; 888-9991995 Quinto Menguante 8-1am MELVYN’S RESTAURANT & LOUNGE; PS; 760325-2323 Ron Greenip 8pm NEIL’S LOUNGE; IND; 760-347-1522 Karaoke 8pm THE NEST; PD; 760-346-2314 Kevin Henry 6-8pm Tim Burleson 8pm PAPPY & HARRIET’S; PT; 760-365-5956 Vera Sola 8pm PLAN B LIVE ENTERTAINMENT AND COCKTAILS; TP; 760-343-2115 Desert Noise Presents: The After Lashes, Ormus and Jetta King 9pm PURPLE ROOM; PS; 760-322-4422 Sharon Sills 6:30pm ROWAN; PS; 760-904-5015 TBA 6-9pm SAMMY G’s; PS; 760-320-8041 Evaro Brothers 8pm SHANGHAI RED’S @ THE FISHERMAN’S MARKET; PS; 760-322-9293 The Smooth Brothers 7pm SULLIVAN’S STEAKHOUSE; PD; 760-341-3560 Dude Jones 6:30pm TACK ROOM TAVERN; IND; 760-347-9985 Karaoke 9pm THREE SIXTY NORTH; PS; 760-327-1773 Mike Cosley 6:30pm VICKY’S OF SANTA FE; IW; 760-345-9770 Robert Salisbury 4:30-6pm, The Refills 6:3010pm THE VINE WINE BAR; PD; 760-341-9463 Derek Jordan Gregg 5-8pm WANG’S; PS; 760-325-9264 Trio NV 5-8pm WOODY’S PALMHOUSE; PS; 760-230-0188 Linda Peterson 6:30pm ZELDA’S; PS; 760-325-2375 Banda Night w/ Banda Sin Nombre and DJ Markuz Area 9pm

FRI MARCH 29

14

19TH HOLE; PD; 760-772-6696 Live Music 8pm 29 PALMS INN; 29 Palms; 760-367-3505 Fast Heart Mart 6:30pm ACE HOTEL; PS; 760-325-9900 Zebulon Rising DJ Sets and LFZ (Live) 10pm AGAVE LOUNGE@THE HYATT REGENCY; IW; 760-674-4080 Avenida 7-11pm AJ’S ON THE GREEN; C.C.; 760-202-1111 Live Music 6:30pm BART LOUNGE; C.C.; 760-799-8800 The Seven/ Six Presents: Spit It Out Hip Hop Showcase w/ Blacc Bart, Ckeelay, El A, 2 Toxic, Stevieraps, Slum G, MK, Cfour and Aaleem 7pm BERNIE’S; RM; 760-202 4499 Bill Gulino 4-7:15pm, Patrick Morris, Brian Dennigan and Leon Bisquera 7:30-11pm BIG ROCK PUB; IND; 706-200-8988 Pulp 90’s 8:30pm BLUEMBER; RM; 760-862-4581 The Stanley Butler Trio 6-10pm CASCADE LOUNGE, SPA RESORT CASINO; PS; 888-999-1995 DJ Chase Martinez 9-1am CASTELLI’S; PD; 760-773-3365 Patrick Tuzzolino 5:30pm CASUELAS CAFÉ; PD; 760-568-0011 The Myx 6:30-10pm

CATALAN; RM; 760-770-9508 George Christian 6-9pm CHEF GEORGE’S PICASSO LOUNGE; PD; 760-200-1768 Michael D’Angelo 6:30-9:30pm, DJ 9:30pm COPA NIGHTCLUB; PS; 760-866-0021 Viva Friday’s w/ DJ Banks 9pm CUNARD’S SANDBAR; LQ; 760-564-3660 Bill Baker 6pm DESERT FOX; PD; Michael Anthony 9pm DESMOND’S @ THE S; RM; 760-328-2111 Slim Man 5:30-9pm DRINGK; RM; 760-888-0111 DJ Journee 9pm ELECTRIC SPORTS LOUNGE; YV; 760-2281199 DJ Ceddy Cedd 9pm EL MEXICALI CAFÉ 2; IND; 760-342-2333 Cesar Daniel Lopez on the harp 6-9pm FISHERMAN’S GROTTO; PD; 760-776-6534 Gina Carey 5:30-8:30pm FRANK’S PLACE; IW; 760-797-8700 Frankie DiSalvo 6-9pm GADI’S BAR & GRILL; YV; 760-820-1213 TBA 8pm HENRY’S SPORTS BAR AND GRILL; CC; 760656-3444 Karaoke w/ KJ Marjovi 9pm THE HOOD; PD; 760-636-5220 Nigel’s Bday Party w/ DJ Shurperfuzz 9pm HOODOO COCKTAIL GARDEN @ THE HYATT; PS; 760-322-9000 Keisha D 7pm HOTEL PASEO; PD; Michael Keeth 4-7pm HOT SPOT@SPOTLIGHT 29; INDIO; 760-7755566 Nacho Bustillos 8:30pm INDIAN WELLS RESORT HOTEL; IW; 760-3456466 Bob Allen 6pm JOSHUA TREE SALOON; JT; 760-366-2250 Karaoke 7:30pm KILO’S CANTINA; TP; 760-835-1363 TBA 9pm KOKOPELLI’S; YV; 760-228-2589 Karaoke 8pm LA FE WINE BAR; PD; 760-565-1430 Lance Riebsomer and Friends 9pm LANDMARK LOUNGE; LQ; 760-289-6736 Morgan Ashley 7pm LA QUINTA BREWERY; PD; 760-200-2597 Reborn by the Sunshine 7pm LA QUINTA RESORT; LQ; 760-564-4111 Steppin Out 6-9pm LAS CASUELAS TERRAZA; PS; 760-325-2794 Hot Roxx 7:30pm LIT@FANTASY SPRINGS; IND; 760-345-2450 Vice Versa 9pm THE LOUNGE; AGUA CALIENTE; RM; 888-9991995 DJ Jerry 9pm MASTRO’S; PD; 760-776-6777 TBA 6:30-11pm MELVYN’S RESTAURANT & LOUNGE; PS; 760325-2323 Ron Greenip 8pm MOXIE; PS; 760-318-9900 Eevaan Tre 6-9pm, DJ Pedro Le Bass 9:30pm NEIL’S LOUNGE; IND; 760-347-1522 Karaoke 8-1:15am THE NEST; PD; 760-346-2314 Kevin Henry 6-8pm Tim Burleson 8pm PALM CANYON ROADHOUSE; PS; 760-3274080 TBA 9pm PALM DESERT COUNTRY CLUB; PD; 760-3450222 Off Da Cuff 6:30pm PAPPY & HARRIET’S; PT; 760-365-5956 Leslie Stevens, Izaak Opatz and Supermoon 8pm PEABODY’S CAFÉ; PS; 760-322-1877 Karaoke 7:30pm PLAN B LIVE ENTERTAINMENT AND COCKTAILS; TP; 760-343-2115 Red’s Rockstar Karaoke 9pm PURPLE ROOM; PS; 760-322-4422 Carole Cook 8pm RED BARN; PD; 760-346-0191 California Celts 9pm RENAISSANCE; PS; 760-322-6000 Derek Jordan Gregg 6-9pm RIVIERA; PS; 760-327-8311 Michael Keeth 8pm SAMMY G’s; PS; 760-320-8041 Evaro Brothers 8pm

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SHANGHAI RED’S @ THE FISHERMAN’S MARKET; PS; 760-322-9293 Barry Baughn Blues 8-11pm SHANGHAI RED’S @ THE FISHERMAN’S MARKET; LQ; 760-777-1601 The Smooth Brothers 8-11pm SHELLY’S LOUNGE@TORTOISE ROCK CASINO; 29 Palms; Rojer Arnold & Bobby Furgo 9pm SOLANO’S BISTRO; LQ; 760-771-6655 Michael Madden 6-9pm SONOMA GRILL; PD; 760-340-6600 Denny Pezzin 6-9pm SOUL OF MEXICO; IND; 760-200-8787 Latin Rock 10pm SULLIVAN’S STEAKHOUSE; PD; 760-341-3560 Demetrious and Co. 6:30pm TACK ROOM TAVERN; IND; 760-347-9985 Dude Jones 9pm THREE SIXTY NORTH; PS; 760-327-1773 Dennis Michaels 6:30pm TRILUSSA ITALIAN RISTORANTE; PS; 760328-2300 Julius & Sylvia Music Duo 6-10pm VENUE@VENUS; PD; 760-834-7070 Heatwave Jazz Band 5-8pm VICKY’S OF SANTA FE; IW; 760-345-9770 “Meet the Corwins” 5:30-7:30pm, The John Stanley King Show 8pm THE VINE WINE BAR; PD; 760-341-9463 Jack Ruvio 6pm WANG’S; PS; 760-325-9264 DJ Galaxy and the House Whores 5pm WESTIN MISSION HILLS; RM; 760-328-5955 Michael Keeth 5-7pm WOODY’S PALMHOUSE; PS; 760-230-0188 Rose Mallett 6:30pm ZELDA’S; PS; 760-325-2375 Fantasy Friday w/ DJ LF and Cali Redd 9pm

SAT MARCH 30

29 PALMS INN; 29 Palms; 760-367-3505 Bev and Bill 6:30pm ACE HOTEL; PS; 760-325-9900 DJ noon, poolside, Zebulon Rising DJ Sets and LFZ (Live) 10pm AGAVE LOUNGE@THE HYATT REGENCY; IW; 760-674-4080 Steppin’ Out 7-11pm AJ’S ON THE GREEN; C.C.; 760-202-1111 Cabaret on the Green Open Mic 7:30pm BACKSTREET BISTRO; PD; 760-346-6393 Linda Peterson 12:30-3:30pm BART LOUNGE; C.C.; 760-799-8800 J Patron’s Dirty Perreo w/ CieloHigh, Rich Brandon, Razor J and Pedro Le Bass 7pm BERNIE’S; RM; 760-202 4499 Rob Carter Trio 7:30-11pm BIG ROCK PUB; IND; 706-200-8988 Just Dave Band 8:30pm BLUEMBER; RM; 760-862-4581 Gennine Francis 6-10pm CASCADE LOUNGE, SPA RESORT CASINO; PS; 888-999-1995 DJ Michael Wright 9-1am CASTELLI’S; PD; 760-773-3365 Patrick Tuzzolino 5:30pm CASUELAS CAFÉ; PD; 760-568-0011 The Myx 6:30-10pm CATALAN; RM; 760-770-9508 George Christian 6-9pm CHEF GEORGE’S PICASSO LOUNGE; PD; 760-200-1768 Abie and Natasha 6:30-9:30pm, DJ 9:30pm COPA NIGHTCLUB; PS; 760-866-0021 DJ Banks and Mr. Miami 9pm CUNARD’S SANDBAR; LQ; 760-564-3660 Bill Baker 6pm DATE SHED; IND; Caxton’s Record Release Party w/ Long Duk Dong, The Dirt X’s and Blasting Echo 8pm DESERT FOX; PD; Krystofer Do 9pm DESMOND’S @ THE S; RM; 760-328-2111 Philip Poe Epstein 5:30-9pm

DHS SPA LOUNGE; DHS; 760-329-6787 Karaoke w/ DJ Scott 9pm DRINGK; RM; 760-888-0111 DJ Journee 9pm ELECTRIC SPORTS LOUNGE; YV; 760-2281199 DJ Ceddy Cedd 9pm EL MEXICALI CAFÉ 2; IND; 760-342-2333 Cesar Daniel Lopez on the harp 6-9pm FISHERMAN’S GROTTO; PD; 760-776-6534 Jack Ruvio 5:30-8:30pm FRANK’S PLACE; IW; 760-797-8700 Frankie DiSalvo 6-9pm GADI’S BAR & GRILL; YV; 760-820-1213 Radolescents w/ Off the Wall and more.. 8pm THE GROOVE LOUNGE; SPOTLIGHT 29; INDIO; 760-775-5566 DJ 8pm HARVEY’S LOUNGE; PS; 760-320-6868 SLS Event Group Presents: Vinyl DJ Sets 9pm HENRY’S SPORTS BAR AND GRILL; CC; 760656-3444 DJ Ray 9pm THE HOOD; PD; 760-636-5220 Reggae Night w/ Mario Quintero and guests 9pm HOODOO COCKTAIL GARDEN @ THE HYATT; PS; 760-322-9000 The Carmens 7pm HOTEL PASEO; PD; Michael Keeth 4-10pm HOT SPOT@SPOTLIGHT 29; INDIO; 760-7755566 Nacho Bustillos 8:30pm INDIAN WELLS RESORT HOTEL; IW; 760-3456466 Bob Allen 6pm JC’S CAFÉ; PD; 760-568-0733 Vinny Berry 3-7pm KILO’S CANTINA; TP; 760-835-1363 TBA 9pm KOKOPELLI’S; YV; 760-228-2589 Karaoke 8pm LA FE WINE BAR; PD; 760-565-1430 Vinny Berry 9pm LANDMARK LOUNGE; LQ; 760-289-6736 Eevaan Tre 7pm LA QUINTA BREWERY; PD; 760-200-2597 Matt Claborn 7pm LAS CASUELAS TERRAZA; PS; 760-325-2794 PS Sound Company 1pm, Hot Roxx 8pm LIT@FANTASY SPRINGS; IND; 760-345-2450 Vice Versa 9pm THE LOUNGE, AGUA CALIENTE; RM; 888-9991995 TBA 9pm MELVYN’S RESTAURANT & LOUNGE; PS; 760325-2323 Ron Greenip 8pm MIRAMONTE; IW; 760-341-2200 Trio NV 6-10pm MOXIE; PS; 760-318-9900 Derek Jordan Gregg 6-9pm, DJ Pedro Le Bass 9:30pm NEIL’S LOUNGE; IND; 760-347-1522 Karaoke 8pm THE NEST; PD; 760-346-2314 Kevin Henry 6-8pm Tim Burleson 8pm PALM CANYON ROADHOUSE; PS; 760-3274080 Bon Jovi Tribute 9pm PALM DESERT COUNTRY CLUB; PD; 760-3450222 On the Rocks 6:30pm PAPPY & HARRIET’S; PT; 760-365-5956 Mojave Lords, DiNola, GOOLS and Pink Slip 8pm PEABODY’S CAFÉ; PS; 760-322-1877 Karaoke 7:30pm PLAN B LIVE ENTERTAINMENT AND COCKTAILS; TP; 760-3432115 Red’s Rockstar Karaoke 9pm PURPLE ROOM; PS; 760-322-4422 Carole Cook 8pm RED BARN; PD; 760-346-0191 Captain Ghost, Mega Sun and Hide Your Guns 9pm ROWAN; PS; 760-904-5015 Lance Riebsomer 6-9pm SAMMY G’s; PS; 760-320-8041 Evaro Brothers 8pm SHANGHAI RED’S @ THE FISHERMAN’S MARKET; PS; 760-322-9293 Barry Baughn Blues 8-11pm SHANGHAI RED’S @ THE FISHERMAN’S MARKET; LQ; 760-777-1601 The Smooth Brothers 8-11pm SHELLY’S LOUNGE@TORTOISE ROCK CASINO; 29 Palms; Rojer Arnold & Bobby Furgo 9pm

March 28 to April 3, 2019

SONOMA GRILL; PD; 760-340-6600 Denny Pezzin 6-9pm SOUL OF MEXICO; IND; 760-200-8787 Latin Music 10pm SULLIVAN’S STEAKHOUSE; PD; 760-341-3560 Demetrious and Co. 6:30pm TACK ROOM TAVERN; IND; 760-347-9985 Delgado Blues Band 9pm THREE SIXTY NORTH; PS; 760-327-1773 Reggie “Vision” Alexander 6:30pm TRILUSSA ITALIAN RISTORANTE; PS; 760328-2300 Julius & Sylvia Music Duo 6-10pm VICKY’S OF SANTA FE; IW; 760-345-9770 Rose Mallett and Co. 5-7pm, Kal David, Lauri Bono and the Real Deal 7:30pm THE VINE WINE BAR; PD; 760-341-9463 Live Music 7pm WANG’S; PS; 760-325-9264 Live Music 6:30pm WESTIN MISSION HILLS; RM; 760-328-5955 Michael Keeth 6pm WOODY’S PALMHOUSE; PS; 760-230-0188 The Stanley Butler Band 6:30pm ZELDA’S; PS; 760-325-2375 Snapchat Saturdays w/DJ LF and Cali Redd 9pm

SUN MARCH 31

29 PALMS INN; 29 Palms; 760-367-3505 Bob Garcia 6pm ACE HOTEL; PS; 760-325-9900 DJ noon poolside, TBA 9pm AJ’S ON THE GREEN; C.C.; 760-202-1111 Sunday Brunch w/ Live Music 11am BART LOUNGE; C.C.; 760-799-8800 Deep House Sundays w/ Tomas De La Noche 7pm BERNIE’S; RM; 760-202 4499 Bill Gulino 12:303:30pm, Patrice Morris 6:30-10pm BIG ROCK PUB; IND; 706-200-8988 Songwriter’s Spotlight 7pm BLUEMBER; RM; 760-862-4581 Michael Keeth 5pm continue to page 20

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March 28 to April 3, 2019

THEPAMPEREDPALATE

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CORK & FORK

W

ithin its refined and modernistic walls, Cork and Fork in La Quinta pleasantly provides a perfect dining experience.

As you open the door entering the restaurant, first thing you will notice is just how dainty and intimate this restaurant is.

I immediately felt welcomed into the dim crepuscular light as we were escorted to our seats. At 7:30 on a Friday night this place was packed with fellow diners enjoying the aroma and bouquet of a fine wine, or the mouthwatering tapas that awaited my fiancé and I. Happy hour is served nightly until 6pm, with an array of wine, beer, and small plates to sample, with 15% off all wine by the bottle. As we were seated, I found myself browsing over a very well thought out menu that just about anyone would be happy to choose from.

We started with a couple drinks to kick things off, I was recommended a glass of 2015 Domaine Drouhin ‘ROW 503’ Pinot Noir. The glass was filled with quaint notes of red fruit and ripe plum, generously filled, this glass lasted me the entire dinner. My better half opted for an iced tea, but not just any ordinary glass of tea.

The Republic of Tea’s “Republic Darjeeling,” honestly lived up to its name of being “The champagne of tea!” Additionally I ordered up a butter poached lobster shooter as well.

Served up in a sparkling shot glass, this lobster was masterfully cooked, floating in a pool of luscious drawn butter, accompanied by a lemon

16

wedge and small teaspoon for devouring. It was an excellent way to start the meal.

The next few items that caught our eye on the menu were the Thai shrimp cakes and the crispy Brussels sprouts. I’d have to consider myself somewhat of a connoisseur of the sprout, sampling them from any menu I come across, I can vouch for Cork and Fork and say that they’ve got something special with this dish. Packed with what I describe as “familiar flavors,” these are rich, creamy, evenly balanced and have a great texture overall. Applewood

BY MATT CLABORN bacon, cabernet onions, manchego cheese, and a smoked paprika aioli are all amazing players on the plate, a winning combination in my book, any day of the week. Next up were the astounding and addicting Thai shrimp cakes.

These little fried beauties were in all honesty the highlight of my meal, having 4 on the plate really had me debating whether or not to place another order. Lightly breaded and full of big, bold flavors, a slight, limited heat begins to muster its way onto your palate. A sublime togarashi aioli, sweet soy, sesame, topped with microgreens, and a hint of citrus for sharpness, I can’t wait to return and enjoy this dish again and again.

The real beauty of a place like this is that with the perfectly portioned plates, you can really try so many things on the menu and not break the bank doing so. Of course, I had to grab a couple more plates before we called it quits. Gorgonzola stuffed turkey meatloaf and lettuce-wrapped filet mignon tacos seemed to fit the bill. Seasoned marvelously, the turkey meatloaf was exceptional. Placed neatly upon a

bed or super creamy polenta, plated nicely with a red wine demi and truffled arugula, this dish is a wonderful rendition of a classic “homestyle” dish. Finishing up with the filet mignon tacos, these little guys were nothing short of sensational. Sriracha aioli, pickled red onion, avocado, and micro cilantro piled up on a bed of lettuce. The simplicity of this dish is really all you need, and it would be really hard to ask for anything more.

Our overall experience throughout the evening was nothing short of fantastic. I would say everything here seems to be prepared fresh off the menu. As an aspiring chef myself, I can only hope to one day have a restaurant anywhere near the caliber of this place. From the greatly gracious wait staff to the inviting ambiance of the restaurant, I can easily give Cork and Fork in La Quinta a 10/10, fork yeah!

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BREWTALITY

S

o, there I was, checking out bags of baby guavas and an assortment of mushy tomatoes in the produce section of the .99 Cent Store, when the shining glint of aluminum cans caught my eye.

There are a lot of aluminum cans up in that store and most of them are full of sardines, potted meat, and Treet luncheon loaf (for those of us who can’t afford name brands like Gucci, Prada, and Spam), but these particular cans I’m referencing weren’t sitting next to the corned beef hash and Spaghetti-O’s; no, these were on a shelf next to the $1.99 wines and non-alcoholic cider, and that meant only one thing (actually, it could have meant a lot of things).

Beer. Cheap, cheap beer.

Three kinds of gloriously cheap beer, to be exact, and while the distinct possibility of sadness and disappointment awaited me with each can, I had to know. How sad could .99 cent beer be? I purchased all three, and with great trepidation, set about to review them from worst to best. Imagine if you will, little emoji of flaming dumpsters, and that’s the rating system we’re working with. I don’t make the rules folks, I just work here. So, with that in mind, let’s see how if we can get our monies worth from those tetanus shots, and start testing cans. Botulism be damned!

CAUSED ME AN EXISTENTIAL CRISIS: BEERLAO LAGER BEER – 5% ABV, LAO BREWING COMPANY - Hailing all the way from the Indochinese peninsula, Beerlao is brewed in the city of Vientiane, the capital

March 28 to April 3, 2019

I DRANK .99 CENT STORE BEER

BY AARON RAMSON

of Laos. Lao Brewing Co. products are said to have won several Gold Quality Awards, but I’ll be damned if any of those are for its beer, cuz Beerlao came this close to being poured down the drain.

The first sip of this pale lager tasted only like what could be described as prison beer.

According to Beerlao’s social media, this beer is made from primarily jasmine rice, with malted barley being third on the ingredient list. The ingredient list stickered onto the can lists hops as the last ingredient by volume.

I’m convinced no actual hops went into the making of this beer, but rather hop oil. The essence of hops. The idea of hops. Anything but real hops, because I’ve tasted malt liquors that tasted less artificial than this. Metallic, sour, and cheap tasting, this is the epitome of awful tasting cheap beer. On a rating system

of burning trash, this can of liquid failure gets 3 dumpster fires.

JUST GARDEN VARIETY AWFUL: SAN MIGUEL PALE PILSEN – 5% ABV, SAN MIGUEL BREWERY - The San Miguel Brewery is the largest brewery in the Philippines, holding over a 95% market share in the country!

The six pack of San Miguel Pale Pilsen found in Palm Desert’s .99 Cent Store was brewed in Hong Kong as opposed to the Philippines and sold in a recyclable cardboard container instead of the plastic 6-pack holder so used in American packaging.

The ingredient list for Pale Pilsen reads in order, “WATER, MALT, CEREALS, SUGAR, HOPS”, which tells us right there that although malt (assuming its barley based) makes up a most of the ingredients, there’s still a lot of fillers going on. While ingredients like corn

and rice can have their places in certain styles, the use of cereal adjuncts and sugar together in a beer as delicate as a pilsner already seems like there’s going to be some weird flavors going on. While not as offensive as Beerlao, there was still a distinctly cheap and janky taste to this product. It tasted like fermented high fructose corn syrup, which was upsetting, but I still managed to kill the entire 6-pack in a week. I still give it 2 dumpster fires.

ONLY GAVE ME SMOL SADS: HENNINGER PREMIUM LAGER BEER – 5% ABV, HENNINGER BRAU AG - A Munich Helles Lager imported from Germany, Henninger is a fairly ubiquitous import that can be found at most Trader Joe’s (which is basically a less depressing version of the .99 Cent Store), and while this beer is as insipid and basic as can be, at least it didn’t taste like corn flakes and soda water, which is more than I can say for the other two beers I tried. Pleasant and grainy with an actual hop bitterness to it, this beer sucked in a way that was familiar. It sucked the way that Foster’s or Moosehead sucks. This brew gets a rating of only one smol dumpster fire.

Turns out the .99 Cent Store didn’t have any good beer this week but since their stock rotates, I shall be returning there for future editions of “I drank .99 Cent Store beer”.

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March 28 to April 3, 2019

SCREENERS

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No. 362

“US” OR U.S.?

NOW SHOWING: Us

The trailer alone is unexpected, unsettling and seriously disturbing, a catalyst for nightmares. And writer director Jordan Peele’s (“Get Out”) sophomore horror film is even better. But what’s rally great about writer Peele’s horror film is the jaw-dropping performance from leading

lady Lupita Nyong’o that pushes everything into a modern horror classic category.

Inspired by the 1960 “Mirror Image” episode of Rod Serling’s first season The Twilight Zone, this intelligent, clever and provocative exercise in horror filmmaking delivers as many laughs as scares. In fact, the laughs may be even more potent than the scares.

The opening scenes make it clear that the continental United States (U.S.) is riddled with abandoned underground railways and mine shafts that crisscross the country.

But what is the meaning of this haunting metaphor, if metaphor it is?

The basic storyline has Adelaide Wilson

(Nyong’o), accompanied by her husband, son and daughter returning to her childhood beachfront home.

Haunted by a traumatic experience from the past, Adelaide grows increasingly paranoid and fearful that something bad is about to happen.

When darkness falls, her worst fears become a sobering reality as the Wilsons encounter the silhouette of four masked figures holding hands in their driveway.

When the masks come off, the family is horrified to discover that each attacker has the appearance of one of them!

Now an endearing American family against is pitted against a terrifying and uncanny opponent: deadly doppelgängers of themselves!

Don’t miss this diabolically creative and fearsomely entertaining post-modern horror film; it’s nightmarish, and unsettling.

It may be about something more than identity, repression and the American experience. Whatever it’s deeper meaning, it is certainly a film open to serious discussion and interpretation. A perfect example of why movies matter in our current chaotic culture. See it. And see it again.

NEW FOR THE HOME THEATER: THE WHOLE TOWN’S TALKING (1935)

A nimble, on-of-a-kind classic finally arrives on Blu-ray in a splendidly spiffy and long overdue hi-def restoration. Arguably among John Ford’s most underrated early films. This masterfully balanced comedy drama has a very dark subtext that Edward G. Robinson delivers in an inspired performance.

On it’s initial release, the New York Times said it was “the best of the new year’s screen comedies.” Robinson plays double roles as a mild-mannered clerk and a notorious gangster who just happen to look remarkably alike. Trouble of course ensues, along with a delightful screwball romance featuring a delicious jean Arthur. The movie was adapted from a story by W. R. Burnett who also wrote the source material for Robinson’s 1931 breakthrough film, Little Caesar.

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THE BIG FIX (1978) Fresh off the dazzling double-header of 1977’s Close Encounters of the Third Kind and The Goodbye Girl, the appealing and resilient Richard Dreyfuss stars in and co-produced this clever mystery caper

BY ROBIN E. SIMMONS

about Moses Wine, a divorced–dad L.A. detective navigating the treacherous paths of his radical past and the cooler reality of his working-stiff present when he tackles the potentially explosive case of political sabotage when he’s contacted by ex girlfriend Lila Shea (Susan Anspach) about defending a candidate for California governor. Bonnie Bedalia, John Lithgow, F. Murrray Abraham and Fritz Weaver offer sterling supporting backup under Jeremy Kagen’s competent direction. Bill Conti supplies the evocative 70’s score. Twilight Time Movies.

THE RIVER’S EDGE (1957)

Two Oscar©-winning actors square off in a tension-packed action thriller (partly shot on starkly beautiful Mexican locations) and with regard to one of them; “Ray Milland has never been nastier” (Leonard Maltin’s Classic Movie Guide). From veteran 50+-year director Allan Dwan comes a marvelously bracing and lean sunbaked noir in its masterly composed Cinemascope hidef debut.

Anthony Quinn and Debra Paget star as a young couple coping with the rough life on a New Mexican ranch, as if thy didn’t need more troubles, her former lover, a sleazy bank robber on the run – played by Milland with shocking ferocity – turns up, forcing them to escort him across the border to Mexico with his ill-gotten gains.

Director Dwan guides the suffocating tangle of emotions through the acrid haze of frenzied passions in a few slashing brushstrokes he capturing the “ecstatic horror of life on the edge. For more info on this limited edition, go to: screenarchives. com. robin@coachellavalleywekly.com

BOOK REVIEW

-----------------------------------------------------

"THE MUELLER REPORT"

BY ROBERT S. MUELLER III NONFICTION -----------------------------------------------------

A

fter a nearly two year investigation pertaining to Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election, the highly anticipated document, The Mueller Report: The Russian Investigation (Justice Department, ? pages)* was submitted last week to William Barr, the United States Attorney General for review.

With the investigation concluded, what will citizens get to see and read? How will it change the country?

Not since Harper Lee’s sequel to To Kill a Mocking Bird, Go Set a Watchman has there been such a national buzz and speculation about a manuscript’s content and release.

Author Mueller was appointed Special Council in May 2017 to investigate Moscow’s efforts to sway the 2016 presidential election and to find evidence whether Trump’s campaign aides, advisors or allies conspired with the Kremlin, and if Trump himself interfered with the investigation.

The Special Council employed 19 lawyers who were assisted by a professional staff, FBI agents, intelligence analysts, and forensic accountants.

The council issued more than 2,800 subpoenas, over 400 search warrants and obtained 230 plus records of communication and interviewed 500 witnesses. The cost to taxpayers is estimated at $25 million.

The investigation led to charges against more than 30 individuals.

Within days of turning in the results of his comprehensive 22 month investigation, Mueller’s report was read and a four-page summary stating

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MUELLER TIME

Mueller’s “principal conclusions” was formed by Barr and distributed by the Justice Department to members of congress titled “Report on the Investigation into Russian Interference in the 2016 Presidential Election.”

According to Barr, the investigation determined there was indeed Russian interference with the 2016 election.

Russian organizations were found to have conducted disinformation and social media operations designed to sow social discord with the aim of interfering with the election. Hacking operations targeted the Democratic Party and the Clinton campaign to disseminated information to further influence the election outcome.

No evidence was found that Trump or anyone associated with him conspired, coordinated or colluded with the Russian government.

As for obstruction, the Special Council determined not to make a traditional prosecutorial judgment – no conclusion was made either way. The Special Council affirms: “While this report does not conclude that the President committed a crime, it also does not exonerate him.”

Barr and Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein (who appointed Mueller) have decided the investigation has been concluded and no further action is required.

It is not clear if the public will get to read The Mueller Report in its un-redacted entirety. Barr has said he believes in transparency and the public has a right to know the results. However, he is under no obligation to release the report at all and certainly not without identifying/ removing the classified information within the document.

No matter where one lines up on the political spectrum, it is most disconcerting that while

individuals debate the President’s legitimacy and possible criminal acts, the Russian infiltration continues into Americans’ daily lives (through Facebook, Twitter and hacking) and goes without intensive outrage or the urgent need for immediate cyber security measures.

What else has the Russian organization -Internet Research Agency (IRA) -- identified in the report as the actors responsible for the hacking and social media disinformation -- done?

What are the long-term effects? And under what umbrella are the Russians operating now?

Some Russians nationals have been arrested.

Could the Russian IRA or other nefarious Russian entities hack American electronic voting machines? Would that information, if true or untrue, investigated or not investigated, be available to the public? To what lengths did the Russians go in influence and to infiltrate our voting system?

The United States has three branches of

March 28 to April 3, 2019

BY HEIDI SIMMONS government -- Executive, Legislative and Judicial – which work together to keep a balance of power and hold the government accountable.

But what can citizens do to keep Russian government actors (the masters at generating propaganda and the creators of spinning truths) and other foreign enemies from divisive influence and voter manipulation? Damage has been done and Americans are more divided and vulnerable than ever.

US Citizens have the power to vote in and out their representatives, but how do we protect ourselves from misguided, skewed or outright lies? As Americans, how do we stay vigilant, informed and free?

One way is to read the information for ourselves and pursue truth for truth’s sake.

As responsible citizens, shouldn’t we embrace investigations and seek transparency? Freedom of speech is freedom to investigate the truth.

Hopefully, Mueller will write a book in which his understanding of the investigation and its outcomes can be shared with clarity and honesty so we can get a better perspective from these chaotic and troubling events. *The Mueller Report is the working title and the page count has not been released to the public. The manuscript’s distribution is not guaranteed.

SAFETY TIPS

BY FIRE CHIEF SAM DIGIOVANNA

MAKE NO BUTT’S ABOUT IT… THIS IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY!

I

always liked to say I was Andy’s training captain, because as young boys we would set fires in my parents’ backyard and play “firefighter.” Andy was the smart one. I provided the training center (my parents’ backyard), which meant I was stuck with the evidence while Andy rode his bike home, another successful “training” session complete.

Though my dad wasn’t in the fire service, I swear he was a fire investigator in a past life.

Andy and I always took pains to cover our tracks from the fires we set, but my dad managed to find the burn patterns, the point of origin and the Ohio blue tips used for ignition along with burned wood, debris and weeds.

I’d get the belt, and Andy, well, he was always “such a good boy.”

We joined the Los Angeles County Fire Department Explorers at an early age. We got hired pretty much right out of high school and began our fire service careers, never looking back. Proud to be firefighters! Unfortunately, all the training and years on the job can’t stop the risks associated with being a firefighter.

In fact, it increases our risk of heart attacks, cancer, diseases and injuries. Andy succumbed to colorectal cancer on Jan. 23, 2012, at just 52 years old. It was a tough battle; anyone who knew Andy knew he was tough, but not tough enough to win this fight.

His death was ruled a line-of-duty death, caused by job-related colorectal cancer.

Excluding skin cancers, colorectal cancer is the

third-most common cancer diagnosed in men and women in the United States. Of cancers that kill both men and women, colorectal cancer is the second-leading killer.

Colorectal cancer affects people in all racial and ethnic groups. It’s most often found in people age 50 and older, but recent research suggests that risk may be shifting. A report published Feb. 28, 2017, found that someone born in 1990 would have twice the risk of colon cancer and four times the risk of rectal cancer at the same age had they been born in 1950 (cnn. com/2017/02/28/health/colon-cancer-rectalcancer-risk-young-people-study/index.html).

So, the risk appears to be increasing. I don’t know about you, but to me, that’s a clarion call to take action: If you’re over 50, get a regular colonoscopy or other screening test your doctor recommends.

No matter your age, watch for symptoms: blood in or on your stool, stomach pain or cramps that don’t go away and/or unexplained weight loss.

Maintain a healthy weight, or try to lose weight if you’re obese or overweight.

Eat a diet high in fruits, vegetables and whole grains, and low in animal fat.

March is the month dedicated to raising awareness about colorectal cancer. Perhaps you can share this with members in your family, work or organization to spread the word — and maybe save the life of someone like Andy.

Fire Chief Sam DiGiovanna

19

March 28 to April 3, 2019

CLUB CRAWLER NIGHTLIFE continued from page 15 CASCADE LOUNGE, SPA RESORT; PS; 888WANG’S; PS; 760-325-9264 Live Music 5pm 999-1995 Nash with Quinto Menguante 9pm WILDEST GREENS; PD; 760-636-0441 Lance Riebsomer 11-2:30pm CASTELLI’S; PD; 760-773-3365 Patrick Tuzzolino 5:30pm WOODY’S PALMHOUSE; PS; 760-230-0188 Motown Too! 6:30pm CHEF GEORGE’S PICASSO LOUNGE; PD; 760-200-1768 Paul Douglas 6-9pm COACHELLA VALLEY BREWING; TP; 760343-5973 Acoustic Afternoon w/ The Sieve and the Saddle, Matt Hunkins, Jose Rentaria and 29 PALMS INN; 29 Palms; 760-367-3505 The James Velasquez 3pm Luminators 6pm DHS SPA LOUNGE; DHS; 760-329-6787 AJ’S ON THE GREEN; C.C.; 760-202-1111 Bill Radio 60 3-6pm Marx 6:30pm EL MEXICALI CAFÉ 2; IND; 760-342-2333 BACKSTREET BISTRO; PD; 760-346-6393 Cesar Daniel Lopez on the harp 6-9pm Johnny Morris 5:30-9pm FRANK’S PLACE; IW; 760-797-8700 Ted BART LOUNGE; C.C.; 760-799-8800 Music by Herman 6-8pm Touchtunes 7pm THE HOOD; PD; 760-636-5220 Comedy Night BERNIE’S; RM; 760-202 4499 Bill Gulino & w/ Jaime Kennedy 8pm Brian Dennigan 6:30-10pm LANDMARK LOUNGE; LQ; 760-289-6736 CASUELAS CAFÉ; PD; 760-568-0011 The Scott Carter 7pm Mighty Sweet Nothings 5:30pm LAS CASUELAS TERRAZA; PS; 760-325-2794 CASTELLI’S; PD; 760-773-3365 Patrick PS Sound Company noon, Hot Roxx 6:30pm Tuzzolino 5:30pm MELVYN’S RESTAURANT & LOUNGE; PS; COPA NIGHTCLUB; PS; 760-866-0021 DJ 760-325-2323 Sunday Jam 3:30-7:30pm, Banks and Mr. Miami 8pm Mikael Healy 8pm DESMOND’S @ THE S; RM; 760-328-2111 NEIL’S LOUNGE; IND; 760-347-1522 Karaoke Sergio Villegas 5:30-9pm 8pm DRINGK; RM; 760-888-0111 DJ Journee 9pm THE NEST; PD; 760-346-2314 Sunday Jam FRANK’S PLACE; IW; 760-797-8700 Larry Session 2-5pm, Kevin Henry 7:30pm Capeloto 6-9pm PALM CANYON ROADHOUSE; PS; 760-327LAS CASUELAS TERRAZA; PS; 760-325-2794 4080 Sunday Jam Session 7pm PS Sound Company 6:30pm PAPPY & HARRIET’S; PT; 760-365-5956 The MELVYN’S RESTAURANT & LOUNGE; PS; Sunday Band 7:30pm 760-325-2323 Mikael Healey 8pm PLAN B LIVE ENTERTAINMENT AND NEIL’S LOUNGE; IND; 760-347-1522 Karaoke COCKTAILS; TP; 760-3432115 Open Mic w/ 8pm-1:15am Rockin Ray 6pm THE NEST; PD; 760-346-2314 Kevin Henry SHANGHAI RED’S @ THE FISHERMAN’S 7:30pm MARKET; LQ; 760-777-1601 Jack Ruvio PAPPY & HARRIET’S; PT; 760-365-5956 6-9pm Open Mic 7pm SULLIVAN’S STEAKHOUSE; PD; 760-341PURPLE ROOM; PS; 760-322-4422 Keisha D 3560 The Myx 6:30pm 6:30pm TACK ROOM TAVERN; IND; 760-347-9985 ROWAN; PS; 760-904-5015 Michael Keeth Daryl Reed 3pm 6-9pm THREE SIXTY NORTH; PS; 760-327-1773 VENUE@VENUS; PD; 760-834-7070 Jazz and Darci Daniels and Reggie Vision 7pm Fashion Party 5-7pm VICKY’S OF SANTA FE; IW; 760-345-9770 VICKY’S OF SANTA FE; IW; 760-345-9770 The John Stanley King Trio 6-9:30pm Deanna Bogart 6:30pm

MON APRIL 1

www.coachellavalleyweekly.com WANG’S; PS; 760-325-9264 Nick Sosa 7pm WOODY’S PALMHOUSE; PS; 760-230-0188 Motown Mondays 7pm ZELDA’S; PS; 760-325-2375 DJ LF hosted by Cali Redd 8pm

TUE APRIL 2

29 PALMS INN; 29 Palms; 760-367-3505 Dana Larson 6pm ACE HOTEL; PS; 760-325-9900 Ace Karaoke 9pm AJ’S ON THE GREEN; C.C.; 760-202-1111 Shelley Yoelin Group 9:30pm BACKSTREET BISTRO; PD; 760-346-6393 Live Jazz 6:30pm BART LOUNGE; C.C.; 760-799-8800 TBA 7pm BERNIE’S; RM; 760-202 4499 Chris Lomeli 6:30-10pm BIG ROCK PUB; IND; 706-200-8988 Big Rocking Country Tuesdays 6-10pm CASTELLI’S; PD; 760-773-3365 Patrick Tuzzolino 5:30pm CHEF GEORGE’S PICASSO LOUNGE; PD; 760-200-1768 Lizann Warner 6:30-9:30pm, DJ 9:30pm CUNARD’S SANDBAR; LQ; 760-564-3660 Bill Baker 6pm DESMOND’S @ THE S; RM; 760-328-2111 John Carey 5:30-9pm FIRESIDE LOUNGE; PS; 760-327-1700 Red’s Rockstar Karaoke 9pm FRANK’S PLACE; IW; 760-797-8700 Terri Olsen and the Perfect Blend 6-9pm HENRY’S SPORTS BAR AND GRILL; CC; 760656-3444 Karaoke w/ KJ Danny 9pm THE HOOD; PD; 760-636-5220 Comedy Bingo w/ Bossi and Britches 9pm HUNTER’S; PS; 760-323-0700 Karaoke 9pm JOSHUA TREE SALOON; JT; 760-366-2250 Ted Quinn’s Open Mic 7pm KOKOPELLI’S; YV; 760-228-2589 Karaoke 7pm LAS CASUELAS TERRAZA; PS; 760-325-2794 PS Sound Company 6:30pm LIT@FANTASY SPRINGS; IND; 760-345-2450 Brad’s Pad 7pm

MELVYN’S RESTAURANT & LOUNGE; PS; 760-325-2323 Mikael Healey 8pm NEIL’S LOUNGE; IND; 760-347-1522 Karaoke 8pm-1:15am THE NEST; PD; 760-346-2314 Tim Burleson 7:45pm PALM CANYON ROADHOUSE; PS; 760-3274080 Acoustic Music Lounge 7pm PLAN B LIVE ENTERTAINMENT AND COCKTAILS; TP; 760-3432115 Game Night w/ Luke O 8pm PURPLE ROOM; PS; 760-322-4422 Rose Mallett 6:30pm TACK ROOM TAVERN; IND; 760-347-9985 Country Night 6pm VICKY’S OF SANTA FE; IW; 760-345-9770 John McCormick and The Shelly Scott Band 6:30-10pm WANG’S; PS; 760-325-9264 Alex Santana 5-8pm WOODY’S PALMHOUSE; PS; 760-230-0188 Yve Evans and John Bolivar 6pm ZELDA’S; PS; 760-325-2375 Coachella Tuesday w/ DJ Jeezy and Cali Redd 9pm

WED APRIL 3

29 PALMS INN; 29 Palms; 760-367-3505 Daniel Horn 6pm AGAVE LOUNGE@THE HYATT REGENCY; IW; 760-674-4080 Azhia 7-11pm AJ’S ON THE GREEN; C.C.; 760-202-1111 Jazz Jam w/ Doug MacDonald & Friends 7pm BART LOUNGE; C.C.; 760-799-8800 Whiskey Wednesdays w/ Touchtunes 7pm BERNIE’S; RM; 760-202 4499 Chris Lomeli 6:30-10pm BIG ROCK PUB; IND; 706-200-8988 Big Rockin Wednesdays w/ The Smooth Brothers 7pm BLUEMBER; RM; 760-862-4581 Michael Keeth 6-10pm CASTELLI’S; PD; 760-773-3365 Patrick Tuzzolino 5:30pm CHEF GEORGE’S PICASSO LOUNGE; PD; 760-200-1768 Barry Minniefield 6:30-9:30pm, DJ 9:30pm COACHELLA VALLEY BREWING CO; TP; 760343-5973 Uncle Ben’s Open Mic 6-8pm

COPA NIGHTCLUB; PS; 760-866-0021 Issa Wednesday Humpday w/ DJ Ax 9pm CUNARD’S SANDBAR; LQ; 760-564-3660 Bill Baker 6pm DESMOND’S @ THE S; RM; 760-328-2111 Joe Baldino 5:30-9pm DRINGK; RM; 760-888-0111 S.I.N. w/ DJ Mirage 9pm ELECTRIC SPORTS LOUNGE; YV; 760-2281199 Karaoke 7:30pm FRANK’S PLACE; IW; 760-797-8700 Terri Olsen and Patricia Welsh 6:30pm THE HOOD; PD; 760-636-5220 Open Mic Hosted by Josh Heinz 8pm JOSHUA TREE SALOON; JT; 760-366-2250 Karaoke 7:30pm KOKOPELLI’S; YV; 760-228-2589 Open Mic 8pm LAS CASUELAS TERRAZA; PS; 760-325-2794 Hot Roxx 6:30pm LIT@FANTASY SPRINGS; IND; 760-345-2450 Latin Night 7pm MELVYN’S RESTAURANT & LOUNGE; PS; 760-325-2323 Mikael Healey 8pm NEIL’S LOUNGE; IND; 760-347-1522 Karaoke 8pm-1:15am THE NEST; PD; 760-346-2314 Kevin Henry 6-8pm Tim Burleson 8pm PALM CANYON ROADHOUSE; PS; 760-3274080 Roger & Friends 7pm PLAN B LIVE ENTERTAINMENT AND COCKTAILS; TP; 760-343-2115 Red’s Rockstar Karaoke 9pm PURPLE ROOM; PS; 760-322-4422 Michael Holmes Trio 6:30pm TACK ROOM TAVERN; IND; 760-347-9985 TBA 9pm THREE SIXTY NORTH; PS; 760-327-1773 Katheryn White 6:30pm VENUE@VENUS; PD; 760-834-7070 Sober Wednesday w/ Joe Baldino 5-7pm VICKY’S OF SANTA FE; IW; 760-345-9770 The Slim Man Band 6:30-10pm WANG’S; PS; 760-325-9264 Jeff Bonds 5-8pm WOODY’S PALMHOUSE; PS; 760-230-0188 Shelley Yoelin’s Jazz Showcase 6:30pm ZELDA’S; PS; 760-325-2375 Calentura Nights w/ DJ LF 9pm

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HADDON LIBBY

W

ith everything that you hear in the news, it is often easiest to just shut it all off and go about your life in a relatively oblivious way. When you stop and think about it, the words of President Trump, the Chairman of the Federal Reserve or the IPO of Lyft seem cannot possibly have much of an impact on your life – or can they? By understanding how these macro events impact your life, you are better positioned to make decisions in your life.

To keep things simple, let’s pretend that you want to become a realtor. If we are at the start of a home buying frenzy, it will be much easier for you to get started and become successful. If we are at the tail end of a home buying cycle, buyers and sellers

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MAKE BETTER DECISIONS

alike will have better access to realtors with more experience - which is not as good for you as a start-up.

How could the Initial Public Offering of the ride-hailing service Lyft mean anything to you? Directly, nothing, unless you own their stock or drive a taxi. Investors seem poised to overpay for a company that does not have a clear path to profitability. History tells us that overpaying for new stocks is a sign that we are toward the end of a strong economic period. As last year was the strongest year in fifty years for the U.S. economy, it stands to reason that the IPO of Lyft is an indicator that the good economic times may slow over the next one or two years.

If the economy slows down, how could

DALE GRIBOW ON THE LAW

SECRETS TO ID THEFT PREVENTION

I

t’s a good idea to print or copy the phone numbers at the end...or save this whole article.

This is not A Joke!! Even If you dislike attorneys, you will love these SECRET TIPS. Read this and make a copy for your files in case you need to refer to it someday.

1. Do not sign the back of your credit cards.

I WRITE ‘PHOTO ID REQUIRED.’ 2. When you are writing checks to pay on your credit card accounts, DO NOT put the complete account number on the ‘For’ line.

Instead, just put the last four numbers. The credit card company knows the rest of the number, and anyone who might be handling your check as it passes through all the check processing channels won’t have access to it.

3. Put your work phone # on your checks instead of your home phone. If you have a PO Box use that instead of your home address.

If you do not have a PO Box, use your work address. Never have your SS# printed on your checks. (DUH!) You can add it if it is necessary.

But if you have It printed, anyone can get it.

4. Place the contents of your wallet on a photocopy machine. Copy both sides of each license, credit card, etc. You will know what you had in your wallet and all of the account numbers and phone numbers to call to cancel if necessary. Keep the photocopy in a safe place.

My wife and I also carry a photocopy of our passports when we travel, either here or

March 28 to April 3, 2019

your job change?

The Federal Reserve was cock strong at the end of last year proclaiming with bravado that the economy was so strong that they could increase interest rates in almost an automatic way for some time to come. This was said while the European Union and China were slipping into recession. Did our Federal Reserve care about those offshore concerns? Not really because the United States was strong and they were following the playbook which said that increased rates were needed so that prices would not spiral out of control. One month after this bold pronouncement, Chairman Powell came out and in a very carefully scripted way stated that they could wait for a while on further rate increases.

Then came last week where Chairman Powell said (and I’m paraphrasing), “Sorry.

My bad! Rates are high enough. You see, we were reading results from the summer and they looked amazing so we didn’t check again in the fall and well…you know, things definitely don’t look so good, in fact those problems in China and Europe seem to be hurting us and, like I’m new on the job…a really hard one and it does not help when President Trump of all people is right and we were well, not so right and so, hey we might even need to drop rates.”

If you followed the Fed’s actions over the last few months, you would have cut back on spending at Christmas only to buy a new

car for Valentine’s Day to thinking that you could afford a second house on St. Patrick’s Day to wanting to pay off all debt for safety’s sake. For what it is worth, these double head fakes by the Federal Reserve did not happen until President Trump came to office. Janet Yellen did a similar move in 2016 only to be trumped by Powell last week. Normally, the pronouncements and actions of the Federal Reserve are good future indicators from which you can make better decisions related to your own future.

As coming to conclusions from all of these data points can be difficult if not impossible for most people, consider changing your news sources to less opinionated ones like CNBC, Bloomberg Radio/TV, AM1200 or barrons.com. While these news sources will not include the more sensational stories that consume the majority of traditional news media time, they share a lot of information and analysis that will ultimately help you in making decisions about your future.

Haddon Libby is the Managing Partner and Founder of the Fiduciary Only investment management firm, Winslow Drake. For more information, please contact Haddon at Hlibby@WinslowDrake.com or visit www.

WinslowDrake.com.

LEGAL REPRESENTATION OF THE INJURED & CRIMINALLY ACCUSED

abroad. We’ve all heard horror stories about fraud that’s committed on us by stealing a name, address, Social Security number, credit cards etc.

Unfortunately, I have had more than one client go through this when their wallet was stolen. Within a week, the thieves ordered an expensive monthly cell phone package, applied for a VISA credit card, had a credit line approved to buy a computer, received a PIN number from DMV to change their driving record information online, and more.

But here’s some critical information to limit the damage in case this happens to you or someone you know: 5. We have been told we should cancel our credit cards immediately. But the key is having the toll free numbers and your card numbers handy so you know who to call. Keep those where you can find them.

6. File a police report immediately in the jurisdiction where your credit cards, etc., were stolen. This proves to credit providers you were diligent, and this is a first step toward an investigation (if there ever is one).

But here’s what is perhaps most important of all: Call the 3 national credit reporting organizations immediately to place a fraud alert on your name and also call the Social Security fraud line number. I had never heard of doing that until advised by a bank that called

to tell me an application for credit was made over the Internet in my name.

The alert means any company that checks your credit knows your information was stolen, and they have to contact you by phone to authorize new credit.

By the time my clients were advised to do this, almost two weeks after the theft, all the damage had been done. There are records of all the credit checks initiated by the thieves’ purchases, which you can be alerted to before placing the alert. After that there should be no additional damage. The thieves will probably throw your wallet away and hopefully someone will turn it in. If you follow this info it should stop the thieves dead in their tracks.

Here are the numbers you always need to contact about your wallet, if it has been stolen: Equifax: 1-800-525-6285 Experian (formerly TRW): 1-888-397-3742 Trans Union: 1-800-680 7289

Social Security Administration (fraud line): 1-800-269-0271 Consider signing up with Charles Jarrot, (Century Credit Group – 310-277-1300) like we did to get 24/7 monitoring; alerts of any changes to credit reports; sex offender registry monitoring; Bank Account opening request notification; lien or public record notifications; Dark Web Surveillance which applies when someone writes a negative review of you or your business on the internet.

Dale Gribow - Attorney at Law “TOP LAWYER” Palm Springs Life 73-061 El Paseo, Suite 220 Palm Desert, CA 92260. Office - 760-837-7500. Fax - 760 8377502

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March 28 to April 3, 2019

AWAKEN W/LIZZY&AIMEE

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BY ELIZABETH SCARCELLA & AIMEE MOSCO

A LITTLE BIT OF AWARENESS GOES A LONG WAY

S

piritual jargon has become mainstream thanks to the presence of social media and the new age movement. People talk about the “Law of Attraction” in conversation these days.

Twenty years ago that was nearly unheard of.

While this kind of spiritual reference is familiar to people now, there is still a lack of clarity as to what it means and how to apply it.

The Law of Attraction is thought of as a method to ask for and receive what you desire. While this is a watered-down definition, that’s the gist. Think about what you want and then ask for the Universe to deliver. Sometimes it works and other times it fails miserably. Or does it?

The Law of Attraction is a Universal principle, a standard by which to operate. It doesn’t fail. If it doesn’t work, chances are good that it’s human error above all else.

When you tap into this Universal Law to intentionally create a specific outcome, you are engaging the Universe as your creative partner. You are asking for energy to be delivered to you according to how and what it is you are asking for.

You are responsible for fifty percent of the work. The Universe does not interpret your meaning. It’s up to you to be very clear with your request. Here is where a little bit of awareness goes a long way. The language and visualizations you use as you are making your request matters in a monumental way.

For example: If you want to make more money and you put it out there to the Universe to assist, you might be disappointed when you don’t immediately make more money. Don’t blame the Universe.

Think about what “more money” means to you. Does it mean finding a quarter on the street (which is technically “more money” in your pocket) or does it mean doubling your income? If the latter is what you are

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looking for then it will serve you better to use specific language such as: “I choose to create life conditions that support doubling my income in a way that honors me.” Then visualize what your life will look like when that happens. Be perfectly consistent with your words and visualizations so you are not sending conflicting requests while exercising the Law of Attraction.

In our pursuit to help you connect more deeply with your gifts as an enlightened being, we invite you to join our interactive Facebook group and watch our show “Evolve through Love”. Go to https://www. facebook.com/groups/evolvethroughlove.

Elizabeth Scarcella, Brand and Goodwill Ambassador, EFT Practitioner, Weight Loss and Inner Beauty Coach, is dedicated to helping others discover Wellness in all aspects of life. Elizabeth can help you awaken to your best self yet. For more information, find her at info@gogetyoung. tv Aimee Mosco is an Author, Intuitive Channel, Spiritual Teacher and Co-Founder of Intentional Healing Systems, LLC. Aimee’s passion for helping others inspired her book “Gratitude + Forgiveness x (LOVE) = Happiness”. For more information, find Aimee at aimee@ihsunity.com

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FREEWILL ASTROLOGY

Week of March 28

ARIES (March 21-April 19): Kermit the Frog from Sesame Street is the world’s most famous puppet.

He has recorded songs, starred in films and TV shows, and written an autobiography. His image has appeared on postage stamps and he has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Kermit’s beginnings were humble, however. When his creator Jim Henson first assembled him, he consisted of Henson’s mom’s green coat and two halves of a white ping pong ball. I mention this, Aries, because the current astrological omens suggest that you, too, could make a puppet that will one day have great influence. APRIL FOOL! I half-lied. Here’s the whole truth: now isn’t a favorable time to start work on a magnificent puppet. But it is a perfect moment to launch the rough beginnings of a project that’s well-suited for your unique talents.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Taurus businessman Chuck Feeney made a huge fortune as the entrepreneur who co-developed duty-free shopping.

But at age 87, he lives frugally, having given away $8 billion to philanthropic causes. He doesn’t even own a house or car. In accordance with astrological omens, I invite you to follow his lead in the coming weeks. Be unreasonably generous and exorbitantly helpful. APRIL FOOL! I exaggerated a bit. While it’s true that now is an extra favorable time to bestow blessings on everyone, you shouldn’t go overboard.

Make sure your giving is artful, not careless or compulsive.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Now is a perfect time to start learning the Inuktitut language spoken by the indigenous people of Eastern Canada. Here are some key phrases to get you underway. 1. UllusiuKattagit inosek: Celebrate your life! 2. Pitsialagigavit, piggogutivagit!: Because you’re doing amazing things, I’m proud of you! 3. Nalligijauvutit: You are loved! 4. Kajusitsiatuinnagit: Keep it up! APRIL FOOL! I lied. Now isn’t really a better time than any other to learn the Inuktitut language. But it is an important time to talk to yourself using phrases like those I mentioned. You need to be extra kind and super positive toward yourself.

CANCER (June 21-July 22): When he was twenty years old, Greek military leader Alexander the Great began to conquer the world. By age 30, he ruled the vast territory between Greece and northwest India.

Never shy about extolling his own glory, he named 70 cities after himself. I offer his example as a model for you. Now is a favorable time to name clouds after yourself, as well as groves of trees, stretches of highway, buses, fire hydrants, parking spaces, and rocks. APRIL FOOL. I got a bit carried away. It’s true that now is a good time to assert your authority, extend your clout, and put your unique stamp on every situation. But I don’t recommend that you name entire cities after yourself.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Now is an excellent time to join an exotic religion. How about the Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster, which believes that true spiritual devotion requires an appreciation of satire? Or how about Discordianism, which worships the goddess of chaos and disorder? Then there’s the United Church of Bacon, whose members exult in the flavor of their favorite food. (Here’s a list of more: tinyurl.com/WeirdReligions.) APRIL FOOL! I wasn’t entirely truthful. It’s accurate to say that now is a great time to reinvigorate and transform your spiritual practice. But it’s better if you figure that out by yourself. There’s no need to get your ideas from a bizarre cult.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Studies show that people who love grilled cheese sandwiches engage in more sexual escapades than those who don’t gorge on grilled cheese sandwiches. So I advise you to eat a lot of grilled cheese sandwiches, because then you will have more sex than usual. And that’s important, because you are now in a phase when you will reap huge healing benefits from having as much sex as possible. APRIL FOOL! I lied when I implied that eating more grilled cheese sandwiches would motivate you to have more sex. But I wasn’t lying when I said that you should have more sex than usual. And I wasn’t lying when I said you will reap

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© Copyright 2019 Rob Brezsny

huge benefits from having as much sex as possible.

(P.S. If you don’t have a partner, have sex with your fantasies or yourself.)

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): If you ever spend time at the McMurdo Station in Antarctica, you’ll get a chance to become a member of the 300 Club. To be eligible, you wait till the temperature ouside drops to minus 100 degrees Fahrenheit. When it does, you spend 20 minutes in a sauna heated to 200 degrees.

Then you exit into the snow and ice wearing nothing but white rubber boots, and run a few hundred feet to a ceremonial pole and back. In so doing, you expose your naked body to a swing of 300 degrees.

According to my astrological analysis, now is an ideal time to pull off this feat. APRIL FOOL! I lied. I’m not really urging you to join the 300 Club. On the other hand, I do think it’s a favorable phase to go to extremes for an authentically good cause.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Scientific research shows that if you arrange to get bitten by thousands of mosquitoes in a relatively short time, you make yourself immune. Forever after, mosquito bites won’t itch you. Now would be an excellent time for you to launch such a project. APRIL FOOL! I lied. I don’t really think you should do that. On the contrary. You should scrupulously avoid irritations and aggravations, especially little ones. Instead, immerse yourself in comfort and ease. Be as free from vexation as you have ever been!

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): If allowed to do what comes naturally, two rabbits and their immediate descendants will produce 1,300 new rabbits in twelve months’ time. In five years, their offspring would amount to 94 million. I suspect that you will approach this level of fertility in the next four weeks, at least in a metaphorical sense. APRIL FOOL! I stretched the truth a bit. There’s no way you will produce more than a hundred good new ideas and productions and gifts. At the most, you’ll generate a mere 50.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): The weather is warm year-round and the crime rate is low on Pitcairn, a remote South Pacific island that is a 30hour boat ride away from the nearest airport. The population has been dwindling in recent years, however, which is why the government offers foreigners free land if they choose to relocate. You might want to consider taking advantage of this opportunity. APRIL FOOL! I was exaggerating. It’s true that you could get major health benefits by taking a sabbatical from civilization. But there’s no need to be so drastic about it.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): You don’t have to run faster than the bear that’s chasing you. You just have to run faster than the slowest person the bear is chasing. OK? So don’t worry! APRIL FOOL! What I just said wasn’t your real horoscope. I hope you know me well enough to understand that I would NEVER advise you to save your own ass by betraying or sacrificing someone else. It’s also important to note that the bear I mentioned is entirely metaphorical in nature. So please ignore what I said earlier. However, I do want you to know that there are effective ways to elude the symbolic bear that are also honorable. To discover them, meditate on calming down the beastly bear-like qualities in yourself.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Now is a favorable time to disguise yourself as a bland nerd with no vivid qualities, or a shy wallflower with no strong opinions, or a polite wimp who prefers to avoid adventure. Please don’t even consider doing anything that’s too interesting or controversial.

APRIL FOOL! I lied. The truth is, I hope you’ll do the opposite of what I suggested. I think it’s time to express your deep authentic self with aggressive clarity. Be brave and candid and enterprising.

What’s the best joke or prank you could play on yourself? FreeWillAstrology.com.

---------------------------------------Rob Brezsny Free Will Astrology freewillastrology@freewillastrology.com

March 28 to April 3, 2019

MIND,BODY & SPIRIT

BY BRONWYN ISON

DISCOVERY THROUGH SEEKING

F

ive conferences, attending a retreat, creating a program, hosting a retreat, eight books later, listening to numerous podcasts, as well as more creations behind the scenes… people are hungrily seeking information on how to better navigate through life and discover more about themselves and those around them.

I’ve always found people to be so interesting. This should give a good explanation to my previous career, broadcast reporting, and why I loved being assigned the crime beat. I’m fascinated to learn why people do what they do. However, I believe most people are interested in what makes others tick.

As a collective thought, I’ve learned, most people are genuinely seeking to better improve themselves. We are seekers.

Seeking to gather a greater understanding as to how we personally operate. These conferences have numerous sessions that often include self-improvement exercises as well as incredible speakers. I value what they have to share. I believe whomever is sharing their message is genuinely there to serve and help others.

Attending so many conferences has been inspiring. The first conference I attended

in August was in San Diego. I knew going into the month that there would be many changes upon my future. I knew this because after an entire decade of work I decided to take the entire month off to seek. Without a doubt several things occurred both professionally and personally. In both areas of my life I did not see what was coming.

However, this is how we expand ourselves.

We’re able to step out of our comfort zones so we can prosper.

Prosper is an understatement as to what you can achieve when you step out or are thrown out of your comfort zone. If requires you to step up to the plate. It may require you to gain perspective. You may ask yourself a lot of questions about future professional and personal endeavors. It may send you on a seeking quest. Or, you may decide to knock on doors you’ve wanted to see open.

“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.” Matthew 7:7 (NIV) Whether you are a person of faith or not… this verse in the Bible applies to everyone if you decide to apply it to your life.

Bronwyn Ison is the Founder of Evolve Yoga. BronwynIson.com EvolveYogaOnline. com Creator of Better For It Now, online programs.

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March 28 to April 3, 2019

TRAVEL TIPS 4 U

www.coachellavalleyweekly.com

BY LYNNE TUCKER

COACHELLA VALLEY VISTA POINT SCENIC HIGHWAY 74

V

ista Point is about five miles up Hwy 74 as it snakes its way out of the Coachella Valley south of Palm Desert and into the Santa Rosa Mountains.

Offers great views of Bighorn Country Club, and views north and east of Palm Desert, Indian Wells, and La Quinta, awesome views of the San Jacinto and San Gorgonio mountains, and on a nice clear day (like after a rain/snow storm) you can see the north tip of the Salton Sea about forty miles away to the southeast.

It is beautiful both day and night. Bring your camera. Bring a meal to watch the sunset over the valley Think DayCation and Enjoy the Journey!

For more information and directions visit www.fs.usda.gov/recmain/sbnf/recreation.

Lynne Tucker is a Travel Writer and Photojournalist based in Palm Desert

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CANNABIS CORNER

BY RUTH HILL R.N.

REEFER MADNESS 2.0

H

ave you listened to the news lately?

News anchors are spicing up the last five minutes of their broadcast to deliver the latest on how marijuana causes psychosis. The media saw coming over the AP a new study published in the British Journal The Lancet that half of all new cases of psychosis are due to cannabis.

Analysis of this study will show that the reporting on the conclusion is erroneous. It is a well-known fact patients who have depression, or any other mental illness self medicate.

They often use marijuana along with other intoxicants. Psychiatric patients coming to a clinic showing high use of marijuana does not then lead to a causal effect. Cannabis has been used for decades around the world in various disparate populations. The incidence of psychosis has remained static states Paul Armentano, NORML Deputy Director.

For those who want to dive into the weeds on scientific detail check out Armentano’s article for March 20, 2019 on the website truthout.org.

Makers of cigarettes and intoxicating drinks are getting on the bandwagon of cannabis infused products for recreational use. Users complain the taste of these infused beers is deplorable. Their claims of medicinal use as a cure for anxiety, muscle pain, addiction, and insomnia will be exaggerated. Meanwhile cultivators of real medicinal products and seniors are being squeezed out of the medical market due to high excise taxes, and high sales taxes from seed to consumer.

Molson Coors and Hexo Corp. of Gatineau, Quebec, is looking to create water drinks, teas, energy drinks and sports recovery drinks with cannabis extracts. They could be sold as intoxicating alternatives to beer or liquor, or a nonintoxicating health drink akin to an herbal tea, coconut water or kombucha. Ron Silver, owner of Bubby’s restaurant in New York, has developed a sweetener Azuca. Alkaline Water Co., of Scottsdale, AZ. adopted a soaking and straining technique that separates watersoluble cannabidiol (CBD) compounds from the plant. Alkaline CEO Ricky Wright said the technique tones down the bitterness.

What these manufacturers are missing is the Entourage Effect the plant has when used

medicinally. The entourage effect refers to the combined effect of all chemicals enzymes cannabinoids, and terpenes in the plant.

This makes whole plant extraction greater than the sum of its parts, why cannabis from hemp has limitations. It may not have enough 9deltatetrahydrocannabinol (THC).

These companies are trying to create the Goldilocks product. Refine the plant to make it water soluble for bottled water, beer, soda.

Change a terpene here or there to make the bottled water less brown. Change another terpene to decrease the taste, add a lemon taste, change the color of beer. It goes on and on because they are trying to force cannabis into all kinds of food.

I can read the headlines now. “Elderly man with heart condition drinks beer dies of marijuana ingestion, restaurant also uses Azuca sweetener”.

Stop the Madness! Do not let this reefer madness 2.0 keep you from supporting the federal bills that will legalize marijuana. We must get the banking situation legal so seniors can order with a check or ATM card. There should be no more or less taxes on medicinal cannabis than there is on corn, or grapes the plants used for wine.

The lesson here is to avoid viewing news on TV or news magazines about cannabis.

Using a good source on the Internet is best.

Readers of my column know of many reliable scientific resources. Cannabis physicians and nurse websites are the best. Dr. Dustin Sulak at healer.com, Mara Gordon at medicaljane.com, the American Cannabis Nurses Association at cannabisnurses.org, and last but not least, my website holisticaring.com.

A last tidbit as you finish reading Cannabis Corner. CVS is ignoring the FDA and selling Cannabis products from Curaleaf in at least eight states. Those states include Alabama, California, Colorado, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, and Tennessee. Curaleaf is a national brand that operates state-licensed, full-THC cannabis dispensaries in 11 states. I wonder what education the Pharmacist will give?

Ruth A. Hill gives cannabis lectures and consultations on cannabis. hilruth@gmail.com

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March 28 to April 3, 2019

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March 28 to April 3, 2019

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CANNABIS CORNER

BY MICHELLE ANN RIZZIO

NAVIGATING THE PREROLL MARKET

P

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rior to recreational cannabis being legalized in California, one may recall being given free prerolls, or prerolled joints, with their first time purchase at dispensaries. One may also recall these prerolls not being the highest quality--filled with trim, dust of cannabis, blends of different flower, and even more surprises. These days, prerolls are a different story. First, they are not given away for free anymore. In fact, nothing in cannabis dispensaries can be given away for free according to the Bureau of Cannabis Control. Instead, companies offer deals like Buy One Get One For A Penny during in store brand pop-ups to side step the control of gifting the plant. Second, prerolls on the shelf at your local dispensary since July of 2018 are completely varying from blended trim joints for $5 to strain specific full flower joints featuring concentrate additions for an ultimate high for upwards of $30+.

When peering over the counter to the countless 1g, 2g, 3.5g, and 7g prerolls in singles and packs it can be intimidating to discern what it is you need. Here are some terms to use when trying to understand if you should purchase a $5 joint or the $58 dollar prerolled cigar in hemp leaf. As an aside, if it’s the dispensary’s house joint from their own cultivation please remember to always support your local growers. Your purchase of their house joint supports their local cultivation and cannabis efforts.

Strain Specific -- Exactly how it reads, prerolls that are strain specific feature only ONE specific strain’s genetics which it is labeled as. For example if the product is labeled “SATIVA - Strawberry Cough” that strain and its characteristics are all you should expect to experience.

Blend -- Preroll blends feature multiple strains to produce the ideal influence the consumer is seeking. For instance, there could be a sativa blend featuring three sativas like Strawberry Cough, Blue Dream, and Amnesia Haze that all come together to produce a really elevated, creative, and cerebral high which may have not been possible with only one strain. As an aside, I personally prefer to know what the strain is from the packaging of my prerolls so look out for the information or ask your budtender. I like knowing how my body will be influenced.

Full Flower -- Flower is a term used for the dried cannabis bud, as it is indeed the

female cannabis plants flower. Full flower prerolls include ONLY ground up flower. It is not trim, sugar leaf, or shake. Full flower prerolls usually maintain their trichomes, taste, aroma, and are true to how you would experience smoking a joint you rolled yourself from your own ground flower.

Shake -- Shake, trim, or sugar leaf all describe lower quality portions of the bud usually removed during the trimming process of soon to be jarred product. Biomass is then put into prerolls to increase the company’s profit margins. For preroll options under $10 be sure to inquire with your budtender whether or not the preroll is shake. Shake prerolls can be tougher to smoke producing a cough and can sometimes often produce headaches. The taste also lacks, in my opinion. Explore at your own risk.

Concentrate prerolls -- These prerolled joints can be a variety of strain specific or blended cannabis flower, and shake or flower quality (depending on the brand you choose.. be sure to ask your budtender for more details, as they are usually educated by the brand on the product they sell.) mixed with concentrated cannabis in the form of hash, CO2 extracted wax, live resin, and/or dipped in kief or honey oil. These bangers are usually in the price range of $20+ and are fantastic for producing an elevated mood, relaxed body, and hazy mind. Not for the beginner.

CBD prerolls -- CBD prerolls feature CBD rich flower in ratios to produce the desired level of wellness, such as 1:1, 2:1, 3:1, 5:1, 8:1, and 20:1. These CBD rich prerolls DO NOT produce a high level of psychoactivity, for those seeking none at all start at the 20:1 ratio and work your way down to discover your preferred ratio of CBD:THC. These prerolls are the ultimate in taking care of anxiety, inflammation, digestive issues and more while you are on the go.

Preroll Packs -- Preroll packs feature multiple prerolls within a tube, case, box, or tin usually ranging from 2g-7g in quantity.

The joints themselves in the packs will either be .5g, .7g, or 1g. Be sure to ask before purchase.

Preroll Single -- Preroll singles are one single preroll, usually .5, .7, or 1g.

I hope this guide helps you navigate your next experience at the dispensary when you want a quick on the go option for your smoking needs!

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March 28 to April 3, 2019

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March 28 to April 3, 2019

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